EP2141403A1 - Connection unit and method for connecting such a unit - Google Patents

Connection unit and method for connecting such a unit Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2141403A1
EP2141403A1 EP20090164022 EP09164022A EP2141403A1 EP 2141403 A1 EP2141403 A1 EP 2141403A1 EP 20090164022 EP20090164022 EP 20090164022 EP 09164022 A EP09164022 A EP 09164022A EP 2141403 A1 EP2141403 A1 EP 2141403A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
movable plate
positioning
centering
plate
fixed support
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP20090164022
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2141403B1 (en
Inventor
Alain-Christophe Tiberghien
Philippe Guin
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Staubli Faverges SCA
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Staubli Faverges SCA
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Publication of EP2141403A1 publication Critical patent/EP2141403A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2141403B1 publication Critical patent/EP2141403B1/en
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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L39/00—Joints or fittings for double-walled or multi-channel pipes or pipe assemblies
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L37/00—Couplings of the quick-acting type
    • F16L37/56—Couplings of the quick-acting type for double-walled or multi-channel pipes or pipe assemblies
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
    • Y10T137/8593—Systems
    • Y10T137/87153—Plural noncommunicating flow paths

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of the connection of circuits of the hydraulic, pneumatic and / or electrical type (s), by means of several complementary connector elements mounted, on the one hand, on a so-called mobile plate and, on the other hand, on a so-called fixed plate.
  • the present invention relates first of all to a connection assembly of such a movable plate to at least one such fixed plate. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of connecting such a movable plate to at least one fixed plate.
  • JP-A-61 014 008 discloses a connection assembly of the prior art which comprises a linear jack for moving the movable plate to the fixed plate in a connection direction which is usually horizontal.
  • the connection assembly further comprises a floating device.
  • a floating device may for example comprise linear springs mounted between the movable plate and the cylinder rod.
  • the floating device 28 is interposed between the end of the cylinder rod 15, 18, 17 and a floating part 29 to which is connected the movable plate A via the connectors 4b / 35.
  • the movable plate is somehow suspended by the cantilever floating device at the end of the cylinder rod. In other words, this movable plate floats with respect to the fixed support of the jack.
  • the movable plate and the fixed plate are provided with at least one centering member and at least one centering member which have complementary shapes.
  • the centering member and the centering member cooperate, so as to position the movable plate relative to the fixed plate, which makes it possible to colinearly couple the connector elements.
  • the centering member and the centering member guide the movable plate to the fixed plate during their connection.
  • the centering member and the centering member are respectively composed of a sleeve and a column.
  • the position of the movable plate adapted to the relative positioning defects of the plates. Therefore, after the jack has disconnected and moved the movable plate away from the fixed plate, the movable plate is retracted into a position that may be offset from a retracted anterior position corresponding to the average of the floating amplitude. .
  • this offset induced by each connection to a fixed plate and that the floating device fails to compensate when disconnecting, makes it more difficult to connect later. The tolerance of the moving plate to the relative positioning defects of the plates is thus reduced.
  • the weight of the movable plate and its components can change the position of the movable plate before a connection, and thus move it away from its position. theoretical average position. Such a change in the position of the movable plate also reduces its tolerance to relative positioning defects of the plates.
  • connection assembly requires large clearances and relatively large guide surfaces between centering member (s) and centering member (s), in particular in both dimensions of the plane of the plate. mobile or fixed plate.
  • Such guiding surfaces increase the size and mass of the members and centering members.
  • the present invention aims in particular to overcome these disadvantages, by proposing a connection assembly with a movable plate which have a tolerance to high relative positioning defects and / or guiding components are relatively compact.
  • this method comprises a preliminary step of placing the connection assembly in a predetermined initial position so that the maximum distance, in the direction of connection, between, a part of a centering member of the fixed plate, which is intended to come into engagement with a centering member, and, secondly, an end of the corresponding positioning member of the fixed support, which is intended to come into engagement with a positioning member, being less than the maximum distance between, on the one hand, an end of the centering member of the movable plate, which is intended to come into engagement with the centering member and on the other hand, an end of the corresponding positioning member of the movable plate, which is intended to come into engagement with the positioning member.
  • connection assembly 1 comprising a so-called mobile plate 2 and an actuator 4, for connecting the movable plate 2 to a so-called fixed plate 3.
  • the movable plate 2 and the fixed plate 3 have respective substantially flat and rectangular shapes.
  • the movable plate 2 extends mainly along a plane X 2 -Y 2 and the fixed plate 3 extends mainly along a plane X 3 -Y 3 , these planes being vertical.
  • the movable plate 2 and the fixed plate 3 are in the disconnected state and the actuator 4 supports the movable plate 2 in the retracted position, in which an axis Z 2 of the movable plate 2 is parallel to an axis Z 4 of the 4.
  • the plane X 2 -Y 2 bonded to the movable plate 2 is parallel to a plane X 4 -Y 4 connected to the actuator 4, but it is approximately parallel and may have a parallelism defect with respect to the X 3 -Y 3 plane linked to the fixed plate 3 as detailed below.
  • the movable plate 2 comprises connector elements, some of which are visible to the figures 1 , 3 and 4 with the reference 20.
  • the fixed plate 3 also comprises connector elements, some of which are visible to the figures 1 , 3 and 4 with the reference 30, which are of complementary shape to the connector elements 20 of the movable plate 2.
  • the connector elements 20 are adapted to be coupled to the connector elements 30, so as to connect flexible circuits C 20 and C 30 of the hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical type respectively connected to the connector elements 20 and 30.
  • the movable plate 2 and the fixed plate 3 may comprise other additional connector elements not shown, so as to connect other circuits of the type (s) hydraulic, pneumatic and / or electrical.
  • hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical flows can flow through connector elements such as 20 and 30.
  • the actuator 4 comprises a fixed support 41, a movable member 42 movable by a linear jack and a floating device 43.
  • the fixed support 41 comprises a parallelepiped-shaped jack housing and an arm 413 which serves as a housing for the retracted cylinder rod.
  • the fixed support 41 is mounted on a transport device or a support not shown.
  • the movable member 42 is adapted to move, along the Z axis 4 , the movable plate 2 relative to the fixed support 41 and to the fixed plate 3 so that the plate 2 reaches a second position shown in FIGS. figures 4 and 8 where the plates 2 and 3 are connected.
  • the movable member 42 is composed of a cylinder rod 421, two guide rods 422 and a carriage 423 on which is mounted a portion of the floating device 43.
  • the cylinder rod 421 is movable according to the Z axis 4 which corresponds substantially to the connection direction of the movable plate 2 on the fixed plate 3.
  • the cylinder rod 421 is connected, on the one hand, to the fixed support 41 and, on the other hand, to the carriage 423 via a flange 424.
  • the floating device 43 comprises four elastic members 431, two of which are visible at the figure 1 and under which are respectively located the other two elastic members.
  • Each resilient member 431 here consists of a stack of flexible Belleville washers mounted prestressed around a respective shaft 432.
  • the shafts 432 are fixed to the carriage 423.
  • Two abutment rings 436 are mounted on each shaft 432 and are traversed by a corresponding fixing screw 433, so as to frame the movable plate 2.
  • An annular space 243 is formed radially between the plate 2 and each shaft 432.
  • the fixing screws 433 and the abutment rings 436 form connecting means of the movable plate 2 with the floating device 43.
  • each shaft 432 are mounted, between the movable plate 2 and the elastic member 431, a ring 434 having a convex spherical face 434A and a ring 435 having a concave spherical face 435A.
  • the convex face 434A and the concave face 435A are held in abutment on each other by the elastic member 431, thus defining a hinge joint of the movable plate 2 with respect to the movable member 42.
  • the floating device 43 connects the movable member 42 to the movable plate 2 by connection means described above which allow at least one movement of the movable plate 2 relative to the fixed support 41 of the actuator 4.
  • the movable plate 2 is suspended cantilevered at the end of the actuator 4.
  • the movable plate 2 thus has angular and linear deflections relative to the axes X 4 and Y 4 which are connected to the actuator 4 and which are perpendicular to the connection direction Z 4 .
  • the floating device 43 is arranged between the movable member 42 and the movable plate 2, so as to allow at least one movement of the movable plate 2 relative to the fixed support 41 in rotation around and / or in translation along the axes X 4 and Y 4 .
  • "Travel” refers to the amplitude of the movement of the movable plate relative to the retracted position, it has the disconnected state of the fixed plates 3 and 2 fixed mobile.
  • the movable plate 2 also has a displacement relative to the fixed plate 3.
  • the movable plate 2 further comprises two centering members which are able to cooperate with two centering members of complementary shapes of the fixed plate 3.
  • the centering members consist of centering sleeves 21, while the centering members consist of centering columns 31.
  • the centering sleeves 21 are mounted at two diagonally opposite corners of the movable plate 2.
  • the centering columns 31 occupy corresponding positions on the fixed plate 3 and are therefore here mounted at two diagonally opposite corners of the fixed plate 3, to the extent that the fixed plate 3 and the movable plate 2 have similar dimensions.
  • the centering sleeves 21 and the centering columns 31 make it possible to position the movable plate 2 with respect to the fixed plate 3, as described below.
  • the centering sleeve 21 comprises a succession of conical inner surfaces which are connected in pairs by cylindrical internal surfaces.
  • the conical inner surfaces and the cylindrical inner surfaces are coaxial and, in the example, circular based.
  • Each centering sleeve 21 thus comprises a frustoconical mouth 215, followed by a first cylindrical surface 214, then a first frustoconical reduction 213, a second cylindrical surface 212 and a second frustoconical reduction 211.
  • the frustoconical reduction 211 opens out into a cylindrical chamber 221 which is extended by a channel 222.
  • the cylindrical chamber 221 and the channel 222 make it possible to evacuate the air in front of the centering column, thus avoiding the presence of compressed air capable of opposing the connection.
  • each centering column 31 comprises a frustoconical base 315, followed by a first cylindrical portion 314, then a frustoconical reduction 313 itself followed by a second cylindrical portion 312.
  • Each column of centering 31 ends with a tapered tip 311.
  • Each centering sleeve 21 thus has a symmetry of revolution about an axis parallel to the axis Z 2
  • each centering column 31 has a symmetry of revolution around a axis parallel to the Z axis 3 .
  • each centering column 31 and of each centering sleeve 21 are substantially equivalent, the centering column 31 and the socket centering 21 have substantially substantially complementary shapes, which allows their interlocking with a decreasing radial clearance when the moving plate 2 approaches the fixed plate 3 by means of the actuator 4.
  • the base 315 and the mouth 215 have complementary geometries, as well as the cylindrical portion 314 and the cylindrical surface 214, the frustoconical reduction 313 and the frustoconical reduction 213, the cylindrical portion 312 and the cylindrical surface 212, as well as the conical tip 311 and the second frustoconical reduction 211.
  • Each centering sleeve 21 is therefore suitable. to cooperate by complementarity of shapes with the corresponding centering column 31.
  • the diameter D 314 of the cylindrical portion 314 is slightly smaller than the diameter D 214 of the cylindrical surface 214, just as the diameter D 312 of the cylindrical portion 312 is slightly smaller than the diameter D 212 of the cylindrical surface 212.
  • the movable plate 2 further comprises two positioning members and the fixed support 41 further comprises two positioning members.
  • Each positioning member is adapted to cooperate with a corresponding positioning member so as to position the movable plate 2 relative to the fixed support 41.
  • the positioning members and the positioning members have complementary shapes, to the like centering columns 31 and centering sleeves 21.
  • each positioning member carried by the movable plate 2 is formed by a positioning column 121 and each centering member carried by the movable plate 2 is formed by a centering sleeve 21.
  • each bushing The centering element 21 is formed within a positioning column 121, which contributes to the compactness of the connection assembly 1.
  • each positioning column 121 has a recess which defines a respective centering sleeve 21.
  • Each centering sleeve 21 and the associated positioning column 121 thus constitute two parts 21 and 121 of the same part, each of these parts 21 and 121 fulfilling a specific guiding function.
  • This common part which can be described as a "column sleeve” has an inner surface serving as a centering sleeve 21 and an outer surface serving as a positioning column 121.
  • the positioning columns 121 are located at two diagonally opposite corners of the movable plate 2, like the associated centering sleeves 21.
  • Each positioning member mounted on the fixed support 41 is formed by a positioning sleeve 410 which is able to cooperate by complementarity of shapes with a respective positioning column 121.
  • Each positioning sleeve 410 is secured to a bracket 411, which is secured to the fixed support 41 by screws 412. Each positioning sleeve 410 occupies, on the fixed support 41, a position such that the associated positioning column 121 is in the average floating position, when this positioning sleeve 410 and this positioning column 121 cooperate in the retracted position of the movable plate 2.
  • Each positioning sleeve 410 and each positioning column 121 respectively comprise a succession of conical surfaces connected in pairs by cylindrical surfaces.
  • the respective conical and cylindrical surfaces of each positioning sleeve 410 and of each positioning column 121 have successive complementary diameters which define a decreasing pitch in the direction connection that represents the Z axis 4 .
  • Such staggering allows the introduction of each positioning column 121 in a respective positioning sleeve 410, with decreasing radial clearance.
  • a positioning column 121 comprises a first external cylindrical portion 219 of diameter D 219 followed by an external frustoconical reduction 218, a second external cylindrical portion 217 of diameter D 217 and an external conical tip 216.
  • Each bushing Positioning 410 comprises, in a complementary manner, a frustoconical mouthpiece 416, followed by a first cylindrical inner surface 419 of diameter D 419 , an internal frustoconical reduction 418 and a second internal cylindrical surface 417 opening and of diameter D 417 .
  • Each positioning column 121 has a symmetry of revolution about an axis parallel to the axis Z 2
  • each positioning sleeve 410 has a symmetry of revolution about an axis parallel to the axis Z 3 .
  • each positioning column 121 and of each positioning sleeve 410 are substantially equivalent.
  • a radial mounting clearance is provided between the outer surface of the positioning column 121 and the inner surface of the positioning sleeve 410.
  • the centering sleeve 21 is in the average floating position, with the radial clearances close to the axes X 2 and Y 2 , because each positioning column 121 is guided in the corresponding positioning sleeve 410.
  • This "average position” is defined as the position corresponding to the average of the amplitude of the movement that the floating device 43 allows to the movable plate 2 relative to the fixed support 41.
  • the expression “average position” is used for components of the movable plate 2, such as a positioning column 121.
  • an offset d exists in the plane X 2 -Y 2 between the end of the centering column 31 and the axis of the centering sleeve 21.
  • a parallelism defect not shown can also exist between the axis of the centering column 31 and the axis of the centering sleeve 21.
  • the offset d and the parallelism defect are compatible with the movement allowed by the floating device. 43.
  • the maximum diameter D 215 of the frustoconical mouthpiece 215 is dimensioned in particular as a function of the offset d.
  • the half-angles at the top of the conical surfaces of the centering sleeves 21 are adapted to the half-angles at the apex of the conical surfaces of the corresponding centering columns 31.
  • the half-angle at the apex A 215 that forms a generatrix of the frustoconical mouth 215 with the axis of the centering sleeve 21 is between 20 ° and 40 °, preferably between 27 ° and 33 °, and corresponds substantially to the half-angle at the apex A 315 that forms a generatrix of the conical base 315 with the axis of a centering column 31.
  • the half-angle at the apex A 211 formed by a generatrix of the second frustoconical reduction 211 with the axis of the centering sleeve 21 is between 20 ° and 40 °, preferably between 27 ° and 33 °, and corresponds substantially to the half-angle at the apex A 311 that forms a generatrix of the conical point 311 with the axis of a centering column 31.
  • the apex half-angle A 216 of the conical tip 216 of a positioning column 121 and the apex half-angle A 416 of the frusto-conical mouth 416 of a positioning sleeve 410 are equivalent and are between 20 ° and 40 °, preferably between 27 ° and 33 °.
  • the half-angle at the apex A 218 of the external frustoconical reduction 218 corresponds to the half-angle at the apex A 418 of the internal frustoconical reduction 418.
  • each type of centering element 21 can be dissociated from each type positioning member 121 mounted on the fixed plate.
  • each type of centering member 21 forms an independent piece and different from each positioning member type 121.
  • the embodiment of a single piece, a "column sleeve", simultaneously constituting the centering member 21 and the positioning member 121 reduces the size of the guiding components of the movable plate in the X 2 -Y 2 plane and along the Z 2 axis.
  • the stack of Belleville washers can be replaced by a linear spring working in compression or by any equivalent elastic member.
  • a connection assembly according to the invention may comprise a single positioning member and a single positioning member, or more than two positioning members and more than two associated positioning members.
  • these member (s) and positioning member (s) can be mounted at various locations of the movable plate, namely in its central region or in its peripheral region.
  • the floating device can give the movable plate greater deflection with respect to, that is to say around and / or along an axis, for example X 4 , than with respect to the other axis. , for example Y 4 .
  • the movable plate may comprise a positioning sleeve and a centering column, possibly in the form of a column sleeve, while the fixed support comprises a positioning column and the fixed plate comprises a centering sleeve.
  • the movable plate comprises a positioning sleeve and a centering sleeve
  • the fixed support comprises a positioning column
  • the fixed plate comprises a centering column
  • each respective internal or external surface of the guiding components is in the form of a prism whose axis is substantially parallel to the direction of engagement of these components and whose base is adapted to allow the cooperation of these surfaces together.
  • a prism may for example have a hexagonal basis.
  • a transport carriage not shown, on which the actuator 4 is mounted brings the movable plate 2 in front of the fixed plate 3.
  • the transport carriage which is movable along the axes X 4 , Y 4 and Z 4 , places the connection assembly 1 with the movable plate 2 in an initial position ( figures 1 , 3 and 5 ) with respect to the fixed plate 3, determined so that the maximum distance Z 21 , taken parallel to the direction Z 4 , between the conical tip 311, which constitutes the engagement end of a centering column 31 with the associated positioning sleeve, and the conical mouth 416, which constitutes the engagement end of the socket of corresponding positioning 410 with the associated positioning column, less than the length L 121 of the positioning column 121.
  • the maximum distance Z 21 must be less than the length L 121 corresponding to the maximum distance, taken parallel to the axis Z 2 , between the engagement end of the centering sleeve 21 of the movable plate 2 with the fixed plate 3, here the conical mouth 215, and the engagement end of the positioning column 121 of the movable plate 2 with the fixed support 41, here the conical tip 216.
  • each centering column 31 begins to fit into the corresponding centering sleeve 21, while each positioning column 121 leaves the corresponding positioning sleeve 410.
  • the carriage places the movable plate 2 in a position where its relative positioning defect with respect to the fixed plate 3 is compatible with the clearance allowed by the floating device 43.
  • the movable plate 2 may have a relative positioning defect with respect to the fixed plate 3, that is to say a centering defect in the plane X 2 -Y 2 and an angular difference between the planes X 2 -Y 2 and X 3 -Y 3.
  • each positioning column 121 is guided in a complementary positioning sleeve 410, in the average position, by the cooperation of the second outer cylindrical portion 217 with the second cylindrical inner surface 417.
  • a step prior to the translation of the movable plate 2 to the fixed plate 3 may consist in retracting the movable plate 2, c that is to say to engage each positioning column 121 in each positioning sleeve 410 to the contact between the external frustoconical reduction 218 and the internal frustoconical reduction 418, so as to position the movable plate 2 with radial clearance reduced compared at the fixed support 41 in the average floating position.
  • the movable plate 2 can therefore be in the connected state or in the disconnected state with respect to the fixed plate 3 and, when in the disconnected state, the movable plate 2 can be placed in a retracted position or in an extended position.
  • the displacement of the movable plate 2 enabled by the floating device 43 relative to the fixed support 41 makes it possible to compensate, on the one hand, for the offset existing between the end of each centering column 31 and the axis of each bushing. centering 21 at the beginning of their engagement and, secondly, the angular defect between the planes X 2 -Y 2 and X 3 -Y 3 , which is not shown in the figures.
  • the floating device 43 makes it possible for the moving plate 2 to begin moving, so that the centering sleeve 21 is already “floating" when it accoste the centering column 31.
  • each centering column 31 of the fixed plate 3 begins at s engage in the centering sleeve 21 associated with the movable plate 2.
  • the conical tip 311 is guided by the frustoconical mouth 215, as shown in FIG. figure 6 .
  • each centering column 31 of the fixed plate 3 cooperates with the corresponding centering sleeve 21 in a relatively precise adjustment which has a radial clearance of the order of 0.5 mm.
  • the radial clearance between the conical or cylindrical surfaces 216 to 219 of each positioning column 121 and the complementary cylindrical or conical surfaces 416 to 419 of each corresponding positioning sleeve 410 may be about 1 mm, because the accuracy required in the disconnected state is less.
  • connection assembly allows relatively high tolerances relative to the relative positioning, centering and parallelism defects between the movable plate and the fixed plate.
  • connection assembly represents a relatively small footprint, especially in the plane of the movable plate, particularly in the case where the movable plate comprises "bush-columns". Consequently, such a connection assembly can tolerate greater positioning defects for the same size in the plane of the movable plate.
  • the cooperation between the member and the limit positioning member even avoids the floating of the movable plate.
  • the retraction of the movable plate in the average position makes it possible to maintain the same tolerable relative positioning tolerances between the movable plate and the fixed plate in view of a subsequent connection, for identical dimensioning of the guide components.
  • the cooperation of the fixed support and the movable plate in the retracted position guarantees an accurate return to the average position.
  • connection assembly of the prior art does not prevent the movement of the moving plate. relative to the fixed support in retracted position, so that the movable plate can leave its average position even when in the retracted position.
  • Staggering of the guide components ensures a decreasing radial mounting clearance as the guide components engage, which prevents jamming between guide components.
  • this staging makes it possible momentarily simultaneously to cooperate, on the one hand, each member and each centering member and, on the other hand, each member and each positioning member. This provides a continuous guide and without wedging of the movable plate between the fixed support and the fixed plate.
  • the or each positioning member of the movable plate which ensures the refocusing of the movable plate relative to the actuator, is substantially coaxial with the or each centering member of the movable plate, which limits the the size of the movable plate.
  • each centering column 31 precisely guides the bushing corresponding centering 21, which allows uncoupling the connector elements 20 and 30 collinearly and without subjecting them to excessive stresses.
  • Each positioning sleeve 410 finally guides the movement of the corresponding positioning column 121, with radial clearance decreasing at as the surfaces 217 and 419, then 217 and 417 and 219 and 419 cooperate, until the disconnected and retracted state of the movable plate 2 from the fixed plate 3. In this retracted position, the plate mobile 2 is brought back to the average position. The connection assembly 1 is then available for a new connection of its movable plate 2 on a fixed plate.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Quick-Acting Or Multi-Walled Pipe Joints (AREA)
  • Resistance Welding (AREA)
  • Automatic Assembly (AREA)
  • Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
  • Joining Of Building Structures In Genera (AREA)
  • Prostheses (AREA)

Abstract

The assembly (1) has a fluttering device (43) arranged between a movable component (42) of an actuator and a movable plate (2). The movable plate is arranged relative to a fixed support (41) in rotation along axis (X4, Y4, Z4) perpendicular to a direction of connection. The movable plate comprises a positioning member (121), and the fixed support comprises a positioning component (410). The positioning member is capable of interacting with the positioning component to position the movable plate relative to the fixed support while the movable plate is in a specific position. An independent claim is also included for a method for connecting a movable plate to a fixed plate.

Description

La présente invention se rapport au domaine du raccordement de circuits de type(s) hydraulique, pneumatique et/ou électrique, par l'intermédiaire de plusieurs éléments de connecteurs complémentaires montés, d'une part, sur une plaque dite mobile et, d'autre part, sur une plaque dite fixe. La présente invention concerne tout d'abord un ensemble de connexion d'une telle plaque mobile à au moins une telle plaque fixe. Par ailleurs, la présente invention concerne un procédé de connexion d'une telle plaque mobile à au moins une plaque fixe.The present invention relates to the field of the connection of circuits of the hydraulic, pneumatic and / or electrical type (s), by means of several complementary connector elements mounted, on the one hand, on a so-called mobile plate and, on the other hand, on a so-called fixed plate. The present invention relates first of all to a connection assembly of such a movable plate to at least one such fixed plate. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of connecting such a movable plate to at least one fixed plate.

Pour raccorder entre eux des circuits de type(s) hydraulique, pneumatique et/ou électrique, il faut accoupler simultanément et de manière colinéaire des éléments de connecteurs hydraulique(s), pneumatique(s) et/ou électrique(s) qui sont complémentaires et qui sont montés sur deux plaques en regard, à savoir une plaque mobile et une plaque essentiellement fixe. En général, le positionnement relatif de ces deux plaques, avant leur rapprochement, peut présenter un défaut de centrage, c'est-à-dire un décalage dans le plan d'une des plaques, ainsi qu'un défaut de parallélisme, c'est-à-dire un écart angulaire entre les plans de ces plaques.In order to connect hydraulic, pneumatic and / or electrical type circuits to each other, it is necessary to simultaneously and collinearly couple hydraulic (s), pneumatic (s) and / or electrical (s) connectors elements which are complementary to each other. and which are mounted on two facing plates, namely a movable plate and a substantially fixed plate. In general, the relative positioning of these two plates, before their approximation, may present a centering defect, that is to say a shift in the plane of one of the plates, as well as a lack of parallelism, it that is, an angular gap between the planes of these plates.

JP-A-61 014 008 décrit un ensemble de connexion de l'art antérieur qui comprend un vérin linéaire afin de déplacer la plaque mobile vers la plaque fixe suivant une direction de connexion qui est le plus souvent horizontale. Pour permettre un flottement de la plaque mobile approchant de la plaque fixe, et compenser de tels défauts de positionnement, l'ensemble de connexion comporte en outre un dispositif de flottement. Un tel dispositif de flottement peut par exemple comprendre des ressorts linéaires montés entre la plaque mobile et la tige du vérin. Dans JP-A-61 014008 , le dispositif de flottement 28 est interposé entre l'extrémité de la tige du vérin 15, 18, 17 et une pièce flottante 29 à laquelle est raccordée la plaque mobile A par l'intermédiaire des connecteurs 4b/35. La plaque mobile est en quelque sorte suspendue par le dispositif de flottement en porte-à-faux à l'extrémité de la tige du vérin. En d'autres termes, cette plaque mobile flotte par rapport au support fixe du vérin. JP-A-61 014 008 discloses a connection assembly of the prior art which comprises a linear jack for moving the movable plate to the fixed plate in a connection direction which is usually horizontal. To allow a floating of the movable plate approaching the fixed plate, and to compensate for such positioning defects, the connection assembly further comprises a floating device. Such a floating device may for example comprise linear springs mounted between the movable plate and the cylinder rod. In JP-A-61 014008 , the floating device 28 is interposed between the end of the cylinder rod 15, 18, 17 and a floating part 29 to which is connected the movable plate A via the connectors 4b / 35. The movable plate is somehow suspended by the cantilever floating device at the end of the cylinder rod. In other words, this movable plate floats with respect to the fixed support of the jack.

La plaque mobile et la plaque fixe sont munies d'au moins un organe de centrage et d'au moins un membre de centrage qui présentent des formes complémentaires. Lorsque la plaque mobile est déplacée vers la plaque fixe, l'organe de centrage et le membre de centrage coopèrent, de façon à positionner la plaque mobile par rapport à la plaque fixe, ce qui permet d'accoupler de manière colinéaire les éléments de connecteurs complémentaires. L'organe de centrage et le membre de centrage guident la plaque mobile jusqu'à la plaque fixe lors de leur connexion. En général, l'organe de centrage et le membre de centrage sont composés respectivement d'une douille et d'une colonne.The movable plate and the fixed plate are provided with at least one centering member and at least one centering member which have complementary shapes. When the movable plate is moved towards the fixed plate, the centering member and the centering member cooperate, so as to position the movable plate relative to the fixed plate, which makes it possible to colinearly couple the connector elements. complementary. The centering member and the centering member guide the movable plate to the fixed plate during their connection. In general, the centering member and the centering member are respectively composed of a sleeve and a column.

Cependant, après une connexion des plaques, la position de la plaque mobile s'est adaptée aux défauts de positionnement relatif des plaques. Par conséquent, après que le vérin a déconnecté et éloigné la plaque mobile de la plaque fixe, la plaque mobile se trouve rétractée dans une position qui peut être en décalage par rapport à une position antérieure rétractée correspondant à la moyenne de l'amplitude du flottement. Or, ce décalage, induit par chaque connexion à une plaque fixe et que le dispositif de flottement ne parvient pas à compenser lors de la déconnexion, rend plus difficile une connexion ultérieure. La tolérance de la plaque mobile aux défauts de positionnement relatif des plaques s'en trouve donc réduite.However, after a connection of the plates, the position of the movable plate adapted to the relative positioning defects of the plates. Therefore, after the jack has disconnected and moved the movable plate away from the fixed plate, the movable plate is retracted into a position that may be offset from a retracted anterior position corresponding to the average of the floating amplitude. . However, this offset, induced by each connection to a fixed plate and that the floating device fails to compensate when disconnecting, makes it more difficult to connect later. The tolerance of the moving plate to the relative positioning defects of the plates is thus reduced.

Entre outre, comme la plaque mobile est suspendue en porte-à-faux par le dispositif de flottement, le poids de la plaque mobile et de ses composants peut modifier la position de la plaque mobile avant une connexion, et donc l'éloigner de sa position moyenne théorique. Une telle modification de la position de la plaque mobile réduit également sa tolérance aux défauts de positionnement relatif des plaques.Furthermore, since the movable plate is suspended cantilevered by the floating device, the weight of the movable plate and its components can change the position of the movable plate before a connection, and thus move it away from its position. theoretical average position. Such a change in the position of the movable plate also reduces its tolerance to relative positioning defects of the plates.

C'est pourquoi un ensemble de connexion de l'art antérieur nécessite des jeux importants et des surfaces de guidage relativement grandes entre organe(s) de centrage et membre(s) de centrage, en particulier dans les deux dimensions du plan de la plaque mobile ou de la plaque fixe. De telles surfaces de guidage augmentent l'encombrement et la masse des organes et membres de centrage.This is why a connection assembly of the prior art requires large clearances and relatively large guide surfaces between centering member (s) and centering member (s), in particular in both dimensions of the plane of the plate. mobile or fixed plate. Such guiding surfaces increase the size and mass of the members and centering members.

La présente invention vise notamment à remédier à ces inconvénients, en proposant un ensemble de connexion avec une plaque mobile qui présentent une tolérance aux défauts de positionnement relatif élevée et/ou les composants de guidage sont relativement peu encombrants.The present invention aims in particular to overcome these disadvantages, by proposing a connection assembly with a movable plate which have a tolerance to high relative positioning defects and / or guiding components are relatively compact.

A cet effet, l'invention a pour objet un ensemble de connexion d'une plaque mobile à au moins une plaque fixe, pour raccorder des circuits de type hydraulique, pneumatique et/ou électrique, ledit ensemble de connexion comprenant :

  • une plaque mobile comportant :
    • plusieurs éléments de connecteurs aptes à être accouplés à des éléments de connecteurs complémentaires montés sur la plaque fixe ;
    • au moins un organe de centrage apte à coopérer avec la plaque fixe à l'état connecté des plaques, de façon à positionner la plaque mobile par rapport à la plaque fixe ;
  • un actionneur comportant :
    • un support fixe ;
    • un organe mobile apte à déplacer, suivant une direction de connexion, la plaque mobile par rapport au support fixe, entre une première position rétractée correspondant à un état déconnecté de la plaque mobile par rapport à la plaque fixe et une deuxième position correspondant à un état connecté de ces plaques ;
    • un dispositif de flottement agencé entre l'organe mobile de l'actionneur et la plaque mobile, de façon à permettre, lorsque la plaque mobile est entre ses première et deuxième positions, au moins un débattement de la plaque mobile par rapport au support fixe en rotation autour et/ou en translation suivant au moins un axe perpendiculaire à la direction de connexion ;
cet ensemble de connexion étant caractérisé en ce que la plaque mobile comporte en outre au moins un membre de positionnement, en ce que le support fixe comporte en outre au moins un organe de positionnement et en ce que le ou chaque membre de positionnement est apte à coopérer avec le ou chaque organe de positionnement de façon à positionner la plaque mobile par rapport au support fixe, alors que la plaque mobile est dans la première position.For this purpose, the invention relates to a connection assembly of a movable plate to at least one fixed plate, for connecting circuits of hydraulic, pneumatic and / or electrical type, said connection assembly comprising:
  • a movable plate comprising:
    • several connector elements adapted to be coupled to complementary connector elements mounted on the fixed plate;
    • at least one centering member adapted to cooperate with the fixed plate in the connected state of the plates, so as to position the movable plate relative to the fixed plate;
  • an actuator comprising:
    • a fixed support;
    • a movable member adapted to move, in a direction of connection, the movable plate relative to the fixed support, between a first retracted position corresponding to a disconnected state of the movable plate relative to the fixed plate and a second position corresponding to a state connected to these plates;
    • a floating device arranged between the movable member of the actuator and the movable plate, so as to allow, when the movable plate is between its first and second positions, at least one movement of the movable plate relative to the fixed support in rotation around and / or in translation along at least one axis perpendicular to the connection direction;
this connection assembly being characterized in that the movable plate further comprises at least one positioning member, in that the fixed support further comprises at least one positioning member and in that the or each positioning member is adapted to cooperate with the or each positioning member so as to position the movable plate relative to the fixed support, while the movable plate is in the first position.

Selon d'autres caractéristiques avantageuses mais facultatives de l'invention, prises isolément ou selon toute combinaison techniquement admissible :

  • le ou chaque organe de centrage est destiné à coopérer par complémentarité de formes avec un membre de centrage correspondant disposé sur la plaque fixe et le ou chaque organe de centrage est formé par une douille de centrage ou par une colonne de centrage ;
  • le ou chaque membre de positionnement et le ou chaque organe de positionnement sont aptes à coopérer par complémentarité de formes et le ou chaque membre de positionnement est formé par une colonne de positionnement ou par une douille de positionnement, le ou chaque organe de positionnement étant respectivement formé par une douille de positionnement ou par une colonne de positionnement ;
  • au moins un organe de centrage est coaxial à un membre de positionnement ;
  • au moins un organe de centrage est réalisé au sein d'un membre de positionnement ;
  • la ou chaque colonne de positionnement et la ou chaque douille de positionnement présentent une symétrie de révolution autour d'un axe qui est sensiblement parallèle à la direction de connexion lorsque la plaque mobile est dans la première position ;
  • la ou chaque douille de positionnement et la ou chaque colonne de positionnement comportent respectivement une succession de surfaces coniques et de surfaces cylindriques et ces surfaces coniques et cylindriques ménagées respectivement sur la douille de positionnement, d'une part, et sur la colonne de positionnement, d'autre part, sont sensiblement complémentaires avec des dimensions décroissantes, de façon à permettre l'introduction avec un jeu radial décroissant de la ou chaque colonne de positionnement dans une douille de positionnement correspondante ;
  • la surface conique située à l'extrémité, du côté du support fixe, du ou de chaque membre de positionnement et la surface conique située à l'extrémité, du côté de la plaque mobile, du ou de chaque organe de positionnement ont des demi-angles au sommet respectifs compris entre 20° et 40°, de préférence entre 27° et 33° ;
  • le dispositif de flottement comprend au moins un organe élastique qui est disposé entre la plaque mobile et l'organe mobile et qui est composé d'un empilement de rondelles élastiques ou d'un ressort linéaire travaillant en compression ; et
  • le ou chaque organe de positionnement est agencé sur le support fixe de sorte que le ou chaque membre de positionnement se trouve en position moyenne dans l'amplitude du débattement permis par le dispositif de flottement, lorsque l'organe mobile positionne la plaque mobile dans la première position, déconnectée et rétractée ;
According to other advantageous but optional features of the invention, taken alone or in any technically permissible combination:
  • the or each centering member is intended to cooperate by complementarity of shapes with a corresponding centering member disposed on the fixed plate and the or each centering member is formed by a centering sleeve or a centering column;
  • the or each positioning member and the or each positioning member are able to cooperate by complementarity of shapes and the or each positioning member is formed by a positioning column or by a positioning sleeve, the or each positioning member being respectively formed by a positioning sleeve or a positioning column;
  • at least one centering member is coaxial with a positioning member;
  • at least one centering member is formed within a positioning member;
  • the or each positioning column and the or each positioning sleeve have a symmetry of revolution about an axis which is substantially parallel to the connection direction when the movable plate is in the first position;
  • the or each positioning sleeve and the or each positioning column respectively comprise a succession of conical surfaces and cylindrical surfaces and these conical and cylindrical surfaces formed respectively on the positioning sleeve, on the one hand, and on the positioning column, on the other hand, are substantially complementary with decreasing dimensions, so as to allow introduction with decreasing radial clearance of the or each positioning column in a corresponding positioning sleeve;
  • the conical surface located at the end, on the side of the fixed support, the or each positioning member and the conical surface located at the end, on the moving plate side, of the or each positioning member have half respective apex angles between 20 ° and 40 °, preferably between 27 ° and 33 °;
  • the floating device comprises at least one elastic member which is disposed between the movable plate and the movable member and which is composed of a stack of spring washers or a linear spring working in compression; and
  • the or each positioning member is arranged on the fixed support so that the or each positioning member is in the average position in the amplitude of the movement allowed by the floating device, when the movable member positions the movable plate in the first position, disconnected and retracted;

D'autre part, la présente invention a pour objet un procédé de connexion d'une plaque mobile à au moins une plaque fixe, pour raccorder des circuits de type(s) hydraulique, pneumatique et/ou électrique, ladite plaque mobile appartenant audit ensemble de connexion et comportant :

  • plusieurs éléments de connecteurs ;
  • au moins un organe de centrage ;
  • au moins un membre de positionnement ;
ladite plaque fixe comportant :
  • plusieurs éléments de connecteurs aptes à être accouplés aux éléments de connecteurs de la plaque mobile ;
  • au moins un membre de centrage apte à coopérer avec l'organe de centrage à l'état connecté des plaques ;
ledit ensemble de connexion comprenant en outre un actionneur qui comporte :
  • un support fixe ;
  • un organe mobile apte à déplacer, suivant une direction de connexion, la plaque mobile par rapport au support fixe entre une première position rétractée correspondant à un état déconnecté de la plaque mobile par rapport à la plaque fixe et une deuxième position correspondant à un état connecté de ces plaques ;
  • un dispositif de flottement agencé entre l'organe mobile et la plaque mobile, de façon à permettre au moins un débattement de la plaque mobile par rapport au support fixe en rotation autour et/ou en translation suivant au moins un axe perpendiculaire à la direction de connexion ;
ce procédé de connexion étant caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend les étapes consistant à :
  • b) amener en engagement au moins un membre de positionnement porté par la plaque mobile avec un organe de positionnement correspondant porté par le support fixe de façon à positionner la plaque mobile par rapport au support fixe alors que la plaque mobile est dans la première position ;
  • c) commander l'actionneur pour déplacer la plaque mobile vers la plaque fixe suivant une direction de connexion ;
  • d) amener en engagement le ou chaque membre de centrage avec l'organe de centrage correspondant, de façon à positionner la plaque mobile par rapport à la plaque fixe ;
  • e) accoupler les éléments de connecteurs respectifs de la plaque mobile et de la plaque fixe.
On the other hand, the present invention relates to a method of connecting a movable plate to at least one fixed plate, for connecting circuits of the type (s) hydraulic, pneumatic and / or electrical, said movable plate belonging to said set connection and comprising:
  • several connector elements;
  • at least one centering member;
  • at least one positioning member;
said fixed plate comprising:
  • a plurality of connector members adapted to be coupled to the connector elements of the movable plate;
  • at least one centering member adapted to cooperate with the centering member in the connected state of the plates;
said connection assembly further comprising an actuator which comprises:
  • a fixed support;
  • a movable member adapted to move, in a direction of connection, the movable plate relative to the fixed support between a first retracted position corresponding to a disconnected state of the movable plate relative to the fixed plate and a second position corresponding to a connected state of these plates;
  • a floating device arranged between the movable member and the movable plate, so as to allow at least one movement of the movable plate relative to the fixed support rotated around and / or in translation along at least one axis perpendicular to the direction of connection;
this connection method being characterized in that it comprises the steps of:
  • b) bringing into engagement at least one positioning member carried by the movable plate with a corresponding positioning member carried by the fixed support so as to position the movable plate relative to the fixed support while the movable plate is in the first position;
  • c) controlling the actuator to move the movable plate to the fixed plate in a connection direction;
  • d) bringing into engagement the or each centering member with the corresponding centering member, so as to position the movable plate relative to the fixed plate;
  • e) coupling the respective connector elements of the movable plate and the fixed plate.

Selon d'autres caractéristiques avantageuses mais facultatives de ce procédé, il comprend une étape préalable consistant à placer l'ensemble de connexion dans une position initiale déterminée de façon à ce que la distance maximale, selon la direction de connexion, entre, d'une part, une extrémité d'un membre de centrage de la plaque fixe, qui est destinée à venir en engagement avec un organe de centrage, et, d'autre part, une extrémité de l'organe de positionnement correspondant du support fixe, qui est destinée à venir en engagement avec un membre de positionnement, soit inférieure à la distance maximale entre, d'une part, une extrémité de l'organe de centrage de la plaque mobile, qui est destinée à venir en engagement avec le membre de centrage et, d'autre part, une extrémité du membre de positionnement correspondant de la plaque mobile, qui est destinée à venir en engagement avec l'organe de positionnement.According to other advantageous but optional features of this method, it comprises a preliminary step of placing the connection assembly in a predetermined initial position so that the maximum distance, in the direction of connection, between, a part of a centering member of the fixed plate, which is intended to come into engagement with a centering member, and, secondly, an end of the corresponding positioning member of the fixed support, which is intended to come into engagement with a positioning member, being less than the maximum distance between, on the one hand, an end of the centering member of the movable plate, which is intended to come into engagement with the centering member and on the other hand, an end of the corresponding positioning member of the movable plate, which is intended to come into engagement with the positioning member.

L'invention sera bien comprise et d'autres avantages de celle-ci ressortiront aussi à la lumière de la description qui va suivre, donnée uniquement à titre d'exemple non limitatif et faite en référence aux dessins annexés, dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue de côté et en coupe partielle d'un ensemble de connexion conforme à l'invention à l'état déconnecté d'une plaque mobile conforme à l'invention et d'une plaque fixe, la plaque mobile étant dans une première position rétractée par rapport à l'ensemble de connexion ;
  • la figure 2 est une vue à plus grande échelle du détail II à la figure 1 ;
  • la figure 3 est une vue en perspective de l'ensemble de connexion de la figure 1 ;
  • la figure 4 est une vue en perspective de l'ensemble de connexion de la figure 1 à l'état connecté de la plaque mobile sur la plaque fixe, la plaque mobile étant dans une deuxième position ;
  • la figure 5 est une vue en coupe partielle et à plus grande échelle d'une partie de l'ensemble de connexion de la figure 1 et d'une partie de la plaque fixe de la figure 1 ;
  • les figures 6 et 7 sont des vues analogues à la figure 5, au cours de la connexion de la plaque mobile sur la plaque fixe ; et
  • la figure 8 est vue analogue à la figure 5, à l'état connecté de la plaque mobile sur la plaque fixe.
The invention will be well understood and other advantages thereof will also emerge in the light of the description which follows, given solely by way of nonlimiting example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
  • the figure 1 is a side view in partial section of a connection assembly according to the invention in the disconnected state of a movable plate according to the invention and a fixed plate, the movable plate being in a first retracted position with respect to the connection assembly;
  • the figure 2 is a larger-scale view of detail II to the figure 1 ;
  • the figure 3 is a perspective view of the connection set of the figure 1 ;
  • the figure 4 is a perspective view of the connection set of the figure 1 in the connected state of the movable plate on the fixed plate, the movable plate being in a second position;
  • the figure 5 is a partial sectional view and on a larger scale of a part of the connection assembly of the figure 1 and a part of the fixed plate of the figure 1 ;
  • the Figures 6 and 7 are similar views to the figure 5 , during the connection of the movable plate to the fixed plate; and
  • the figure 8 is seen analogous to the figure 5 in the connected state of the movable plate on the fixed plate.

Les figures 1 à 4 illustrent un ensemble de connexion 1 comprenant une plaque dite mobile 2 et un actionneur 4, pour connecter la plaque mobile 2 sur une plaque dite fixe 3. La plaque mobile 2 et la plaque fixe 3 ont des formes respectives essentiellement planes et rectangulaires. La plaque mobile 2 s'étend principalement selon un plan X2-Y2 et la plaque fixe 3 s'étend principalement selon un plan X3-Y3, ces plans étant verticaux.The Figures 1 to 4 illustrate a connection assembly 1 comprising a so-called mobile plate 2 and an actuator 4, for connecting the movable plate 2 to a so-called fixed plate 3. The movable plate 2 and the fixed plate 3 have respective substantially flat and rectangular shapes. The movable plate 2 extends mainly along a plane X 2 -Y 2 and the fixed plate 3 extends mainly along a plane X 3 -Y 3 , these planes being vertical.

Dans la configuration de la figure 1, la plaque mobile 2 et la plaque fixe 3 sont à l'état déconnecté et l'actionneur 4 supporte la plaque mobile 2 en position rétractée, dans laquelle un axe Z2 de la plaque mobile 2 est parallèle à un axe Z4 de l'actionneur 4. Dans cette première position rétractée de la plaque mobile 2, le plan X2-Y2 lié à la plaque mobile 2 est parallèle à un plan X4-Y4 lié à l'actionneur 4, mais il est approximativement parallèle et peut présenter un défaut de parallélisme par rapport au plan X3-Y3 lié à la plaque fixe 3 comme cela est détaillé ci-après.In the configuration of the figure 1 , the movable plate 2 and the fixed plate 3 are in the disconnected state and the actuator 4 supports the movable plate 2 in the retracted position, in which an axis Z 2 of the movable plate 2 is parallel to an axis Z 4 of the 4. In this first retracted position of the movable plate 2, the plane X 2 -Y 2 bonded to the movable plate 2 is parallel to a plane X 4 -Y 4 connected to the actuator 4, but it is approximately parallel and may have a parallelism defect with respect to the X 3 -Y 3 plane linked to the fixed plate 3 as detailed below.

La plaque mobile 2 comporte des éléments de connecteurs, dont certains sont visibles aux figures 1, 3 et 4 avec la référence 20. La plaque fixe 3 comporte aussi des éléments de connecteurs, dont certains sont visibles aux figures 1, 3 et 4 avec la référence 30, lesquels sont de formes complémentaires aux éléments de connecteurs 20 de la plaque mobile 2. Ainsi, les éléments de connecteurs 20 sont aptes à être accouplés aux éléments de connecteurs 30, de façon à raccorder des circuits flexibles C20 et C30 de type hydraulique, pneumatique ou électrique raccordés respectivement sur les éléments de connecteurs 20 et 30.The movable plate 2 comprises connector elements, some of which are visible to the figures 1 , 3 and 4 with the reference 20. The fixed plate 3 also comprises connector elements, some of which are visible to the figures 1 , 3 and 4 with the reference 30, which are of complementary shape to the connector elements 20 of the movable plate 2. Thus, the connector elements 20 are adapted to be coupled to the connector elements 30, so as to connect flexible circuits C 20 and C 30 of the hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical type respectively connected to the connector elements 20 and 30.

La plaque mobile 2 et la plaque fixe 3 peuvent comporter d'autres éléments de connecteurs complémentaires non représentés, de façon à raccorder d'autres circuits de type(s) hydraulique, pneumatique et/ou électrique. Lorsque la plaque mobile 2 est connectée à la plaque fixe 3, des flux hydraulique, pneumatique ou électrique peuvent circuler par l'intermédiaire d'éléments de connecteurs tels que 20 et 30.The movable plate 2 and the fixed plate 3 may comprise other additional connector elements not shown, so as to connect other circuits of the type (s) hydraulic, pneumatic and / or electrical. When the movable plate 2 is connected to the fixed plate 3, hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical flows can flow through connector elements such as 20 and 30.

L'actionneur 4 comprend un support fixe 41, un organe mobile 42 déplaçable par un vérin linéaire et un dispositif de flottement 43. Dans l'exemple de la figure 1, le support fixe 41 comprend un boîtier de vérin de forme parallélépipédique et un bras 413 qui sert de logement à la tige de vérin rétractée. Le support fixe 41 est monté sur un dispositif de transport ou un support non représenté.The actuator 4 comprises a fixed support 41, a movable member 42 movable by a linear jack and a floating device 43. In the example of FIG. figure 1 , the fixed support 41 comprises a parallelepiped-shaped jack housing and an arm 413 which serves as a housing for the retracted cylinder rod. The fixed support 41 is mounted on a transport device or a support not shown.

Comme le montre la comparaison entre les figures 3 et 4, l'organe mobile 42 est adapté pour déplacer, suivant l'axe Z4, la plaque mobile 2 par rapport au support fixe 41 et jusqu'à la plaque fixe 3 pour que la plaque 2 parvienne dans une deuxième position représentée aux figures 4 et 8 où les plaques 2 et 3 sont connectées. Pour cela, l'organe mobile 42 est composé d'une tige de vérin 421, de deux tiges de guidage 422 et d'un chariot 423 sur lequel est montée une partie du dispositif de flottement 43. La tige de vérin 421 est mobile suivant l'axe Z4 qui correspond sensiblement à la direction de connexion de la plaque mobile 2 sur la plaque fixe 3. La tige de vérin 421 est reliée, d'une part, au support fixe 41 et, d'autre part, au chariot 423 par l'intermédiaire d'une bride 424.As the comparison between the Figures 3 and 4 , the movable member 42 is adapted to move, along the Z axis 4 , the movable plate 2 relative to the fixed support 41 and to the fixed plate 3 so that the plate 2 reaches a second position shown in FIGS. figures 4 and 8 where the plates 2 and 3 are connected. For this, the movable member 42 is composed of a cylinder rod 421, two guide rods 422 and a carriage 423 on which is mounted a portion of the floating device 43. The cylinder rod 421 is movable according to the Z axis 4 which corresponds substantially to the connection direction of the movable plate 2 on the fixed plate 3. The cylinder rod 421 is connected, on the one hand, to the fixed support 41 and, on the other hand, to the carriage 423 via a flange 424.

Le dispositif de flottement 43 comprend quatre organes élastiques 431, dont deux sont visibles à la figure 1 et sous lesquels sont respectivement situés les deux autres organes élastiques. Chaque organe élastique 431 est ici constitué d'un empilement de rondelles Belleville flexibles et montées précontraintes autour d'un arbre 432 respectif. Comme le montre la figure 2, les arbres 432 sont fixés au chariot 423. Deux bagues de butée 436 sont montées sur chaque arbre 432 et sont traversées par une vis de fixation 433 correspondante, de façon à encadrer la plaque mobile 2. Un espace annulaire 243 est ménagé radialement entre la plaque mobile 2 et chaque arbre 432. Les vis de fixation 433 et les bagues de butée 436 forment des moyens de liaison de la plaque mobile 2 avec le dispositif de flottement 43.The floating device 43 comprises four elastic members 431, two of which are visible at the figure 1 and under which are respectively located the other two elastic members. Each resilient member 431 here consists of a stack of flexible Belleville washers mounted prestressed around a respective shaft 432. As shown in figure 2 , the shafts 432 are fixed to the carriage 423. Two abutment rings 436 are mounted on each shaft 432 and are traversed by a corresponding fixing screw 433, so as to frame the movable plate 2. An annular space 243 is formed radially between the plate 2 and each shaft 432. The fixing screws 433 and the abutment rings 436 form connecting means of the movable plate 2 with the floating device 43.

Autour de chaque arbre 432 sont montées, entre la plaque mobile 2 et l'organe élastique 431, une bague 434 présentant une face sphérique convexe 434A et une bague 435 présentant une face sphérique concave 435A. La face convexe 434A et la face concave 435A sont maintenues en appui l'une sur l'autre par l'organe élastique 431, définissant ainsi une rotule d'articulation de la plaque mobile 2 par rapport à l'organe mobile 42.Around each shaft 432 are mounted, between the movable plate 2 and the elastic member 431, a ring 434 having a convex spherical face 434A and a ring 435 having a concave spherical face 435A. The convex face 434A and the concave face 435A are held in abutment on each other by the elastic member 431, thus defining a hinge joint of the movable plate 2 with respect to the movable member 42.

Ainsi, le dispositif de flottement 43 relie l'organe mobile 42 à la plaque mobile 2 par des moyens de liaison décrits ci-avant qui permettent au moins un débattement de la plaque mobile 2 par rapport au support fixe 41 de l'actionneur 4. La plaque mobile 2 est donc suspendue en porte-à-faux à l'extrémité de l'actionneur 4. La plaque mobile 2 présente ainsi des débattements angulaires et linéaires par rapport aux axes X4 et Y4 qui sont liés à l'actionneur 4 et qui sont perpendiculaires à la direction de connexion Z4.Thus, the floating device 43 connects the movable member 42 to the movable plate 2 by connection means described above which allow at least one movement of the movable plate 2 relative to the fixed support 41 of the actuator 4. The movable plate 2 is suspended cantilevered at the end of the actuator 4. The movable plate 2 thus has angular and linear deflections relative to the axes X 4 and Y 4 which are connected to the actuator 4 and which are perpendicular to the connection direction Z 4 .

En d'autres termes, le dispositif de flottement 43 est agencé entre l'organe mobile 42 et la plaque mobile 2, de façon à permettre au moins un débattement de la plaque mobile 2 par rapport au support fixe 41 en rotation autour et/ou en translation suivant les axes X4 et Y4. Par « débattement » on désigne l'amplitude du mouvement de la plaque mobile par rapport à la position rétractée, qu'elle présente à l'état déconnecté des plaques fixe 3 et mobile 2 fixe. Par extension, la plaque mobile 2 présente également un débattement par rapport à la plaque fixe 3.In other words, the floating device 43 is arranged between the movable member 42 and the movable plate 2, so as to allow at least one movement of the movable plate 2 relative to the fixed support 41 in rotation around and / or in translation along the axes X 4 and Y 4 . "Travel" refers to the amplitude of the movement of the movable plate relative to the retracted position, it has the disconnected state of the fixed plates 3 and 2 fixed mobile. By extension, the movable plate 2 also has a displacement relative to the fixed plate 3.

Pour guider la plaque mobile 2 vers la plaque fixe 3 lors de leur connexion, la plaque mobile 2 comporte en outre deux organes de centrage qui sont aptes à coopérer avec deux membres de centrage de formes complémentaires de la plaque fixe 3. Dans l'exemple des figures, les organes de centrage sont constitués de douilles de centrage 21, tandis que les membres de centrage sont constitués de colonnes de centrage 31.To guide the movable plate 2 towards the fixed plate 3 during their connection, the movable plate 2 further comprises two centering members which are able to cooperate with two centering members of complementary shapes of the fixed plate 3. In the example Figures, the centering members consist of centering sleeves 21, while the centering members consist of centering columns 31.

Les douilles de centrage 21 sont montées au niveau de deux coins diagonalement opposés de la plaque mobile 2. Les colonnes de centrage 31 occupent des positions correspondantes sur la plaque fixe 3 et elles sont donc ici montées au niveau de deux coins diagonalement opposés de la plaque fixe 3, dans la mesure où la plaque fixe 3 et la plaque mobile 2 ont des dimensions analogues. Les douilles de centrage 21 et les colonnes de centrage 31 permettent de positionner la plaque mobile 2 par rapport à la plaque fixe 3, comme cela est décrit ci-après.The centering sleeves 21 are mounted at two diagonally opposite corners of the movable plate 2. The centering columns 31 occupy corresponding positions on the fixed plate 3 and are therefore here mounted at two diagonally opposite corners of the fixed plate 3, to the extent that the fixed plate 3 and the movable plate 2 have similar dimensions. The centering sleeves 21 and the centering columns 31 make it possible to position the movable plate 2 with respect to the fixed plate 3, as described below.

Comme le montre plus en détail la figure 5, la douille de centrage 21 comprend une succession de surfaces internes coniques qui sont reliées deux à deux par des surfaces internes cylindriques. Les surfaces internes coniques et les surfaces internes cylindriques sont coaxiales et, dans l'exemple, à base circulaire.As shown in more detail figure 5 the centering sleeve 21 comprises a succession of conical inner surfaces which are connected in pairs by cylindrical internal surfaces. The conical inner surfaces and the cylindrical inner surfaces are coaxial and, in the example, circular based.

Chaque douille de centrage 21 comprend ainsi une embouchure 215 tronconique, suivie d'une première surface cylindrique 214, puis d'une première réduction tronconique 213, d'une deuxième surface cylindrique 212 et d'une deuxième réduction tronconique 211. La réduction tronconique 211 débouche dans une chambre cylindrique 221 qui se prolonge par un canal 222. La chambre cylindrique 221 et le canal 222 permettent d'évacuer l'air devant la colonne de centrage, évitant ainsi la présence d'air comprimé susceptible de s'opposer à la connexion.Each centering sleeve 21 thus comprises a frustoconical mouth 215, followed by a first cylindrical surface 214, then a first frustoconical reduction 213, a second cylindrical surface 212 and a second frustoconical reduction 211. The frustoconical reduction 211 opens out into a cylindrical chamber 221 which is extended by a channel 222. The cylindrical chamber 221 and the channel 222 make it possible to evacuate the air in front of the centering column, thus avoiding the presence of compressed air capable of opposing the connection.

De façon complémentaire, la surface externe de chaque colonne de centrage 31 comprend une embase tronconique 315, suivie d'une première portion cylindrique 314, puis d'une réduction tronconique 313 elle-même suivie d'une deuxième portion cylindrique 312. Chaque colonne de centrage 31 se termine par une pointe conique 311. Chaque douille de centrage 21 présente ainsi une symétrie de révolution autour d'un axe parallèle à l'axe Z2, alors que chaque colonne de centrage 31 présente une symétrie de révolution autour d'un axe parallèle à l'axe Z3.In a complementary manner, the outer surface of each centering column 31 comprises a frustoconical base 315, followed by a first cylindrical portion 314, then a frustoconical reduction 313 itself followed by a second cylindrical portion 312. Each column of centering 31 ends with a tapered tip 311. Each centering sleeve 21 thus has a symmetry of revolution about an axis parallel to the axis Z 2 , while each centering column 31 has a symmetry of revolution around a axis parallel to the Z axis 3 .

Dans la mesure où les dimensions, longueurs, diamètres et demi-angles au sommet ou conicité, des surfaces coniques et cylindriques correspondantes de chaque colonne de centrage 31 et de chaque douille de centrage 21 sont sensiblement équivalentes, la colonne de centrage 31 et la douille de centrage 21 ont des formes globalement sensiblement complémentaires, ce qui permet leur emboîtement avec un jeu radial décroissant lors du rapprochement de la plaque mobile 2 vers la plaque fixe 3 au moyen de l'actionneur 4. Ainsi, l'embase 315 et l'embouchure 215 présentent des géométries complémentaires, de même que la portion cylindrique 314 et la surface cylindrique 214, la réduction tronconique 313 et la réduction tronconique 213, la portion cylindrique 312 et la surface cylindrique 212, ainsi que la pointe conique 311 et la deuxième réduction tronconique 211. Chaque douille de centrage 21 est donc apte à coopérer par complémentarité de formes avec la colonne de centrage 31 correspondante.Insofar as the dimensions, lengths, diameters and half-angles at the apex or conicity, the corresponding conical and cylindrical surfaces of each centering column 31 and of each centering sleeve 21 are substantially equivalent, the centering column 31 and the socket centering 21 have substantially substantially complementary shapes, which allows their interlocking with a decreasing radial clearance when the moving plate 2 approaches the fixed plate 3 by means of the actuator 4. Thus, the base 315 and the mouth 215 have complementary geometries, as well as the cylindrical portion 314 and the cylindrical surface 214, the frustoconical reduction 313 and the frustoconical reduction 213, the cylindrical portion 312 and the cylindrical surface 212, as well as the conical tip 311 and the second frustoconical reduction 211. Each centering sleeve 21 is therefore suitable. to cooperate by complementarity of shapes with the corresponding centering column 31.

A l'état connecté de la plaque mobile 2 sur la plaque fixe 3, tel qu'illustré à la figure 8, lorsque l'axe Z2 est parallèle à l'axe Z3, ces surfaces complémentaires se trouvent respectivement en regard les unes des autres, avec un jeu radial réduit et déterminé de manière à éviter le coincement entre chaque colonne de centrage 31 et chaque douille de centrage 21. En d'autres termes, le diamètre D314 de la portion cylindrique 314 est légèrement inférieur au diamètre D214 de la surface cylindrique 214, de même que le diamètre D312 de la portion cylindrique 312 est légèrement inférieur au diamètre D212 de la surface cylindrique 212.In the connected state of the movable plate 2 on the fixed plate 3, as illustrated in FIG. figure 8 when the Z 2 axis is parallel to the Z 3 axis, these complementary surfaces are respectively facing each other, with a reduced radial clearance and determined so as to avoid jamming between each centering column 31 and each centering sleeve 21. In other words, the diameter D 314 of the cylindrical portion 314 is slightly smaller than the diameter D 214 of the cylindrical surface 214, just as the diameter D 312 of the cylindrical portion 312 is slightly smaller than the diameter D 212 of the cylindrical surface 212.

Par ailleurs, la plaque mobile 2 comporte en outre deux membres de positionnement et le support fixe 41 comporte en outre deux organes de positionnement. Chaque membre de positionnement est apte à coopérer avec un organe de positionnement correspondant de façon à positionner la plaque mobile 2 par rapport au support fixe 41. Dans ce but, les membres de positionnement et les organes de positionnement ont des formes complémentaires, à l'instar des colonnes de centrage 31 et des douilles de centrage 21.Furthermore, the movable plate 2 further comprises two positioning members and the fixed support 41 further comprises two positioning members. Each positioning member is adapted to cooperate with a corresponding positioning member so as to position the movable plate 2 relative to the fixed support 41. For this purpose, the positioning members and the positioning members have complementary shapes, to the like centering columns 31 and centering sleeves 21.

Dans l'exemple des figures, chaque membre de positionnement porté par la plaque mobile 2 est formé par une colonne de positionnement 121 et chaque organe de centrage porté par la plaque mobile 2 est formé par une douille de centrage 21. De plus, chaque douille de centrage 21 est réalisée au sein d'une colonne de positionnement 121, ce qui contribue à la compacité de l'ensemble de connexion 1. Ainsi, chaque colonne de positionnement 121 présente un évidement qui définit une douille de centrage 21 respective.In the example of the figures, each positioning member carried by the movable plate 2 is formed by a positioning column 121 and each centering member carried by the movable plate 2 is formed by a centering sleeve 21. In addition, each bushing The centering element 21 is formed within a positioning column 121, which contributes to the compactness of the connection assembly 1. Thus, each positioning column 121 has a recess which defines a respective centering sleeve 21.

Chaque douille de centrage 21 et la colonne de positionnement 121 associée constituent donc deux parties 21 et 121 d'une même pièce, chacune de ces parties 21 et 121 remplissant une fonction propre de guidage. Cette pièce commune, qui peut être qualifiée de « douille-colonne » présente une surface interne servant de douille de centrage 21 et une surface externe servant de colonne de positionnement 121.Each centering sleeve 21 and the associated positioning column 121 thus constitute two parts 21 and 121 of the same part, each of these parts 21 and 121 fulfilling a specific guiding function. This common part, which can be described as a "column sleeve" has an inner surface serving as a centering sleeve 21 and an outer surface serving as a positioning column 121.

Les colonnes de positionnement 121 sont situées au niveau de deux coins diagonalement opposés de la plaque mobile 2, à l'instar des douilles de centrage associées 21. Chaque organe de positionnement monté sur le support fixe 41 est formé par une douille de positionnement 410 qui est apte à coopérer par complémentarité de formes avec une colonne de positionnement 121 respective.The positioning columns 121 are located at two diagonally opposite corners of the movable plate 2, like the associated centering sleeves 21. Each positioning member mounted on the fixed support 41 is formed by a positioning sleeve 410 which is able to cooperate by complementarity of shapes with a respective positioning column 121.

Chaque douille de positionnement 410 est solidarisée à un support en équerre 411, lequel est solidarisé au support fixe 41 par des vis 412. Chaque douille de positionnement 410 occupe, sur le support fixe 41, une position telle que la colonne de positionnement 121 associée est en position moyenne de flottement, lorsque cette douille de positionnement 410 et cette colonne de positionnement 121 coopèrent en position rétractée de la plaque mobile 2.Each positioning sleeve 410 is secured to a bracket 411, which is secured to the fixed support 41 by screws 412. Each positioning sleeve 410 occupies, on the fixed support 41, a position such that the associated positioning column 121 is in the average floating position, when this positioning sleeve 410 and this positioning column 121 cooperate in the retracted position of the movable plate 2.

Chaque douille de positionnement 410 et chaque colonne de positionnement 121 comportent respectivement une succession de surfaces coniques reliées deux à deux par des surfaces cylindriques. Comme dans le cas de la colonne de centrage 31 et de la douille de centrage 21, les surfaces coniques et cylindriques respectives de chaque douille de positionnement 410 et de chaque colonne de positionnement 121 ont des diamètres complémentaires successifs qui définissent un étagement décroissant dans la direction de connexion que représente l'axe Z4. Un tel étagement permet l'introduction de chaque colonne de positionnement 121 dans une douille de positionnement 410 respective, avec un jeu radial décroissant.Each positioning sleeve 410 and each positioning column 121 respectively comprise a succession of conical surfaces connected in pairs by cylindrical surfaces. As in the case of the centering column 31 and the centering sleeve 21, the respective conical and cylindrical surfaces of each positioning sleeve 410 and of each positioning column 121 have successive complementary diameters which define a decreasing pitch in the direction connection that represents the Z axis 4 . Such staggering allows the introduction of each positioning column 121 in a respective positioning sleeve 410, with decreasing radial clearance.

Comme le montre la figure 8, une colonne de positionnement 121 comprend une première portion cylindrique externe 219 de diamètre D219 suivie d'une réduction tronconique externe 218, d'une deuxième portion cylindrique externe 217 de diamètre D217 et d'une pointe conique externe 216. Chaque douille de positionnement 410 comprend, de façon complémentaire, une embouchure tronconique 416, suivie d'une première surface interne cylindrique 419 de diamètre D419, d'une réduction tronconique interne 418 et d'une deuxième surface interne cylindrique 417 débouchante et de diamètre D417. Chaque colonne de positionnement 121 présente une symétrie de révolution autour d'un axe parallèle à l'axe Z2, alors que chaque douille de positionnement 410 présente une symétrie de révolution autour d'un axe parallèle à l'axe Z3.As shown in figure 8 a positioning column 121 comprises a first external cylindrical portion 219 of diameter D 219 followed by an external frustoconical reduction 218, a second external cylindrical portion 217 of diameter D 217 and an external conical tip 216. Each bushing Positioning 410 comprises, in a complementary manner, a frustoconical mouthpiece 416, followed by a first cylindrical inner surface 419 of diameter D 419 , an internal frustoconical reduction 418 and a second internal cylindrical surface 417 opening and of diameter D 417 . Each positioning column 121 has a symmetry of revolution about an axis parallel to the axis Z 2 , while each positioning sleeve 410 has a symmetry of revolution about an axis parallel to the axis Z 3 .

Les dimensions, longueurs, diamètres et demi-angles au sommet ou conicité, des surfaces de guidage de chaque colonne de positionnement 121 et de chaque douille de positionnement 410 sont sensiblement équivalentes. Pour éviter tout coincement, un jeu radial de montage est prévu entre la surface externe de la colonne de positionnement 121 et la surface interne de la douille de positionnement 410.The dimensions, lengths, diameters and half-angles at the apex or taper, of the guide surfaces of each positioning column 121 and of each positioning sleeve 410 are substantially equivalent. To prevent jamming, a radial mounting clearance is provided between the outer surface of the positioning column 121 and the inner surface of the positioning sleeve 410.

Comme le montre la figure 5, durant la phase de connexion de la plaque mobile sur la plaque fixe et lorsqu'une douille de centrage 21 et une colonne de centrage 31 commencent à coopérer, la douille de centrage 21 se trouve en position moyenne de flottement, aux jeux radiaux près suivant les axes X2 et Y2, car chaque colonne de positionnement 121 est guidée dans la douille de positionnement 410 correspondante. Cette « position moyenne » est définie comme la position correspondant à la moyenne de l'amplitude du mouvement que permet le dispositif de flottement 43 à la plaque mobile 2 par rapport au support fixe 41. Par extension, l'expression « position moyenne » est employée pour des composants de la plaque mobile 2, tels qu'une colonne de positionnement 121.As shown in figure 5 during the connection phase of the movable plate on the fixed plate and when a centering sleeve 21 and a centering column 31 begin to cooperate, the centering sleeve 21 is in the average floating position, with the radial clearances close to the axes X 2 and Y 2 , because each positioning column 121 is guided in the corresponding positioning sleeve 410. This "average position" is defined as the position corresponding to the average of the amplitude of the movement that the floating device 43 allows to the movable plate 2 relative to the fixed support 41. By extension, the expression "average position" is used for components of the movable plate 2, such as a positioning column 121.

Au début de cette coopération entre la douille de centrage 21 et la colonne de centrage 31, un décalage d existe dans le plan X2-Y2 entre l'extrémité de la colonne de centrage 31 et l'axe de la douille de centrage 21. Un défaut de parallélisme non représenté peut également exister entre l'axe de la colonne de centrage 31 et l'axe de la douille de centrage 21. Le décalage d et le défaut de parallélisme sont compatibles avec le débattement permis par le dispositif de flottement 43. En outre, le diamètre maximal D215 de l'embouchure tronconique 215 est dimensionné notamment en fonction du décalage d.At the beginning of this cooperation between the centering sleeve 21 and the centering column 31, an offset d exists in the plane X 2 -Y 2 between the end of the centering column 31 and the axis of the centering sleeve 21 A parallelism defect not shown can also exist between the axis of the centering column 31 and the axis of the centering sleeve 21. The offset d and the parallelism defect are compatible with the movement allowed by the floating device. 43. In addition, the maximum diameter D 215 of the frustoconical mouthpiece 215 is dimensioned in particular as a function of the offset d.

Par ailleurs, les demi-angles au sommet des surfaces coniques des douilles de centrage 21 sont adaptés aux demi-angles au sommet des surfaces coniques des colonnes de centrage 31 correspondantes. En particulier, le demi-angle au sommet A215 que forme une génératrice de l'embouchure tronconique 215 avec l'axe de la douille de centrage 21 est compris entre 20° et 40°, de préférence entre 27° et 33°, et correspond sensiblement au demi-angle au sommet A315 que forme une génératrice de l'embase conique 315 avec l'axe d'une colonne de centrage 31.Furthermore, the half-angles at the top of the conical surfaces of the centering sleeves 21 are adapted to the half-angles at the apex of the conical surfaces of the corresponding centering columns 31. In particular, the half-angle at the apex A 215 that forms a generatrix of the frustoconical mouth 215 with the axis of the centering sleeve 21 is between 20 ° and 40 °, preferably between 27 ° and 33 °, and corresponds substantially to the half-angle at the apex A 315 that forms a generatrix of the conical base 315 with the axis of a centering column 31.

De même, le demi-angle au sommet A211 que forme une génératrice de la deuxième réduction tronconique 211 avec l'axe de la douille de centrage 21 est compris entre 20° et 40°, de préférence entre 27° et 33°, et correspond sensiblement au demi-angle au sommet A311 que forme une génératrice de la pointe conique 311 avec l'axe d'une colonne de centrage 31.Similarly, the half-angle at the apex A 211 formed by a generatrix of the second frustoconical reduction 211 with the axis of the centering sleeve 21 is between 20 ° and 40 °, preferably between 27 ° and 33 °, and corresponds substantially to the half-angle at the apex A 311 that forms a generatrix of the conical point 311 with the axis of a centering column 31.

Dans le même but de faciliter l'engagement des membres et organes correspondants, le demi-angle au sommet A216 de la pointe conique 216 d'une colonne de positionnement 121 et le demi-angle au sommet A416 de l'embouchure tronconique 416 d'une douille de positionnement 410 sont équivalents et sont compris entre 20° et 40°, de préférence entre 27° et 33°. De même, le demi-angle au sommet A218 de la réduction tronconique externe 218 correspond au demi-angle au sommet A418 de la réduction tronconique interne 418. De telles conicités permettent d'éviter tout coincement lors de l'emboîtement ou du déboîtement des composants de guidage correspondants tout en limitant l'effort à appliquer par l'actionneur selon l'axe Z4 pour provoquer le débattement de la plaque mobile 2 avec ses composants de guidage.For the same purpose of facilitating engagement of members and corresponding members, the apex half-angle A 216 of the conical tip 216 of a positioning column 121 and the apex half-angle A 416 of the frusto-conical mouth 416 of a positioning sleeve 410 are equivalent and are between 20 ° and 40 °, preferably between 27 ° and 33 °. Likewise, the half-angle at the apex A 218 of the external frustoconical reduction 218 corresponds to the half-angle at the apex A 418 of the internal frustoconical reduction 418. Such conicities make it possible to avoid any jamming during the interlocking or disengagement. corresponding guide components while limiting the force to be applied by the actuator along the Z axis 4 to cause the movement of the movable plate 2 with its guiding components.

Selon une variante non représentée, chaque organe de centrage de type 21 peut être dissocié de chaque membre de positionnement de type 121 monté sur la plaque fixe. Dans ce cas, chaque organe de centrage de type 21 forme une pièce indépendante et différente de chaque membre de positionnement de type 121. La réalisation d'une seule pièce, une « douille-colonne », constituant simultanément l'organe de centrage 21 et le membre de positionnement 121, permet toutefois de réduire l'encombrement des composants de guidage de la plaque mobile dans le plan X2-Y2 et selon l'axe Z2.According to a variant not shown, each type of centering element 21 can be dissociated from each type positioning member 121 mounted on the fixed plate. In this case, each type of centering member 21 forms an independent piece and different from each positioning member type 121. The embodiment of a single piece, a "column sleeve", simultaneously constituting the centering member 21 and the positioning member 121, however, reduces the size of the guiding components of the movable plate in the X 2 -Y 2 plane and along the Z 2 axis.

Selon une autre variante non représentée, l'empilement de rondelles Belleville peut être remplacé par un ressort linéaire travaillant en compression ou par tout organe élastique équivalent.According to another variant not shown, the stack of Belleville washers can be replaced by a linear spring working in compression or by any equivalent elastic member.

Selon d'autres variantes non représentées, un ensemble de connexion conforme à l'invention peut comporter un seul organe de positionnement et un seul membre de positionnement, ou plus de deux organes de positionnement et plus de deux membres de positionnement associés.According to other variants not shown, a connection assembly according to the invention may comprise a single positioning member and a single positioning member, or more than two positioning members and more than two associated positioning members.

Par ailleurs, ces organe(s) et membre(s) de positionnement peuvent être montés au niveau de divers emplacements de la plaque mobile, à savoir dans sa région centrale ou dans sa région périphérique. En outre, le dispositif de flottement peut conférer à la plaque mobile un débattement plus important par rapport à, c'est-à-dire autour de et/ou suivant un axe, par exemple X4, que par rapport à l'autre axe, par exemple Y4.Furthermore, these member (s) and positioning member (s) can be mounted at various locations of the movable plate, namely in its central region or in its peripheral region. In addition, the floating device can give the movable plate greater deflection with respect to, that is to say around and / or along an axis, for example X 4 , than with respect to the other axis. , for example Y 4 .

Selon une autre variante non représentée, il est possible d'inverser le montage des composants de guidage ; ainsi, la plaque mobile peut comporter une douille de positionnement et une colonne de centrage, éventuellement sous la forme d'une douille-colonne, tandis que le support fixe comporte une colonne de positionnement et que la plaque fixe comporte une douille de centrage.According to another variant not shown, it is possible to reverse the mounting of the guide components; thus, the movable plate may comprise a positioning sleeve and a centering column, possibly in the form of a column sleeve, while the fixed support comprises a positioning column and the fixed plate comprises a centering sleeve.

Selon une autre variante non représentée, la plaque mobile comporte une douille de positionnement et une douille de centrage, tandis que le support fixe comporte une colonne de positionnement et que la plaque fixe comporte une colonne de centrage.According to another variant not shown, the movable plate comprises a positioning sleeve and a centering sleeve, while the fixed support comprises a positioning column and the fixed plate comprises a centering column.

Selon une autre variante non représentée, chaque surface interne ou externe respective des composants de guidage, tels que les douilles de centrage, colonnes de centrage, douilles de positionnement et colonnes de positionnement, est en forme de prisme dont l'axe est sensiblement parallèle à la direction d'engagement de ces composants et dont la base est adaptée pour permettre la coopération de ces surfaces entre elles. Un tel prisme peut par exemple avoir une base hexagonale.According to another variant not shown, each respective internal or external surface of the guiding components, such as centering sleeves, centering columns, positioning sleeves and positioning columns, is in the form of a prism whose axis is substantially parallel to the direction of engagement of these components and whose base is adapted to allow the cooperation of these surfaces together. Such a prism may for example have a hexagonal basis.

Le procédé objet de l'invention pour la connexion de la plaque mobile 2 sur la plaque fixe 3 va être décrit ci-après, en relation notamment avec les figures 3 à 8.The method that is the subject of the invention for connecting the movable plate 2 to the fixed plate 3 will be described below, in particular in relation to the Figures 3 to 8 .

Pour connecter la plaque mobile 2 sur la plaque fixe 3, un chariot de transport non représenté, sur lequel est monté l'actionneur 4, amène la plaque mobile 2 en face de la plaque fixe 3. Au cours d'une étape préalable du procédé de connexion objet de l'invention, le chariot de transport, qui est mobile suivant les axes X4, Y4 et Z4, place l'ensemble de connexion 1 avec la plaque mobile 2 dans une position initiale (figures 1, 3 et 5) par rapport à la plaque fixe 3, déterminée de façon à ce que la distance maximale Z21, prise parallèlement à la direction Z4, entre la pointe conique 311, qui constitue l'extrémité d'engagement d'une colonne de centrage 31 avec la douille de positionnement associée, et l'embouchure conique 416, qui constitue l'extrémité d'engagement de la douille de positionnement 410 correspondante avec la colonne de positionnement associée, soit inférieure à la longueur L121 de la colonne de positionnement 121.To connect the movable plate 2 to the fixed plate 3, a transport carriage not shown, on which the actuator 4 is mounted, brings the movable plate 2 in front of the fixed plate 3. During a prior step of the method connection of the invention, the transport carriage, which is movable along the axes X 4 , Y 4 and Z 4 , places the connection assembly 1 with the movable plate 2 in an initial position ( figures 1 , 3 and 5 ) with respect to the fixed plate 3, determined so that the maximum distance Z 21 , taken parallel to the direction Z 4 , between the conical tip 311, which constitutes the engagement end of a centering column 31 with the associated positioning sleeve, and the conical mouth 416, which constitutes the engagement end of the socket of corresponding positioning 410 with the associated positioning column, less than the length L 121 of the positioning column 121.

Plus précisément, la distance maximale Z21 doit être inférieure à la longueur L121 correspondant à la distance maximale, prise parallèlement à l'axe Z2, entre l'extrémité d'engagement de la douille de centrage 21 de la plaque mobile 2 avec la plaque fixe 3, ici l'embouchure conique 215, et l'extrémité d'engagement de la colonne de positionnement 121 de la plaque mobile 2 avec le support fixe 41, ici la pointe conique 216.More precisely, the maximum distance Z 21 must be less than the length L 121 corresponding to the maximum distance, taken parallel to the axis Z 2 , between the engagement end of the centering sleeve 21 of the movable plate 2 with the fixed plate 3, here the conical mouth 215, and the engagement end of the positioning column 121 of the movable plate 2 with the fixed support 41, here the conical tip 216.

On obtient ainsi la continuité du guidage de la plaque mobile, si bien que chaque colonne de centrage 31 commence à s'emboîter dans la douille de centrage 21 correspondante, alors que chaque colonne de positionnement 121 quitte la douille de positionnement 410 correspondante. Préalablement, le chariot place la plaque mobile 2 dans une position où son défaut de positionnement relatif par rapport à la plaque fixe 3 est compatible avec le débattement permis par le dispositif de flottement 43.Thus, the continuity of the guide of the movable plate is obtained, so that each centering column 31 begins to fit into the corresponding centering sleeve 21, while each positioning column 121 leaves the corresponding positioning sleeve 410. Beforehand, the carriage places the movable plate 2 in a position where its relative positioning defect with respect to the fixed plate 3 is compatible with the clearance allowed by the floating device 43.

A l'état déconnecté et en position rétractée, la plaque mobile 2, peut présenter un défaut de positionnement relatif par rapport à la plaque fixe 3, c'est-à-dire un défaut de centrage dans le plan X2-Y2 et un écart angulaire entre les plans X2-Y2 et X3-Y3.In the disconnected state and in the retracted position, the movable plate 2 may have a relative positioning defect with respect to the fixed plate 3, that is to say a centering defect in the plane X 2 -Y 2 and an angular difference between the planes X 2 -Y 2 and X 3 -Y 3.

Puis, on commande l'actionneur 4, de façon à ce que la tige de vérin 421 déplace la plaque mobile 2 vers la plaque fixe 3 suivant l'axe Z4. Au début de cette translation de la plaque mobile 2, chaque colonne de positionnement 121 est guidée dans une douille de positionnement 410 complémentaire, en position moyenne, par la coopération de la deuxième portion cylindrique externe 217 avec la deuxième surface interne cylindrique 417.Then, the actuator 4 is controlled, so that the cylinder rod 421 moves the movable plate 2 towards the fixed plate 3 along the axis Z 4 . At the beginning of this translation of the movable plate 2, each positioning column 121 is guided in a complementary positioning sleeve 410, in the average position, by the cooperation of the second outer cylindrical portion 217 with the second cylindrical inner surface 417.

Dans le cas où la tige de vérin 421 ne se trouve pas en position rétractée, mais au contraire en position étendue, une étape préalable à la translation de la plaque mobile 2 vers la plaque fixe 3 peut consister à rétracter la plaque mobile 2, c'est-à-dire à engager chaque colonne de positionnement 121 dans chaque douille de positionnement 410 jusqu'au contact entre la réduction tronconique externe 218 et la réduction tronconique interne 418, de façon à positionner la plaque mobile 2 à jeu radial réduit par rapport au support fixe 41 en position moyenne de flottement. La plaque mobile 2 peut donc se trouver à l'état connecté ou à l'état déconnecté par rapport à la plaque fixe 3 et, lorsqu'elle se trouve à l'état déconnecté, la plaque mobile 2 peut être placée dans une position rétractée ou dans une position étendue.In the case where the cylinder rod 421 is not in the retracted position, but instead in extended position, a step prior to the translation of the movable plate 2 to the fixed plate 3 may consist in retracting the movable plate 2, c that is to say to engage each positioning column 121 in each positioning sleeve 410 to the contact between the external frustoconical reduction 218 and the internal frustoconical reduction 418, so as to position the movable plate 2 with radial clearance reduced compared at the fixed support 41 in the average floating position. The movable plate 2 can therefore be in the connected state or in the disconnected state with respect to the fixed plate 3 and, when in the disconnected state, the movable plate 2 can be placed in a retracted position or in an extended position.

Le débattement de la plaque mobile 2 permis par le dispositif de flottement 43 par rapport au support fixe 41 permet de compenser, d'une part, le décalage d existant entre l'extrémité de chaque colonne de centrage 31 et l'axe de chaque douille de centrage 21 au début de leur engagement et, d'autre part, le défaut angulaire entre les plans X2-Y2 et X3-Y3, qui n'est pas représenté sur les figures.The displacement of the movable plate 2 enabled by the floating device 43 relative to the fixed support 41 makes it possible to compensate, on the one hand, for the offset existing between the end of each centering column 31 and the axis of each bushing. centering 21 at the beginning of their engagement and, secondly, the angular defect between the planes X 2 -Y 2 and X 3 -Y 3 , which is not shown in the figures.

Dès que la deuxième portion cylindrique externe 217 coopère avec la première surface interne cylindrique 419, le dispositif de flottement 43 rend possible un début de débattement de la plaque mobile 2, si bien que la douille de centrage 21 est déjà « flottante » lorsqu'elle accoste la colonne de centrage 31.As soon as the second external cylindrical portion 217 cooperates with the first cylindrical internal surface 419, the floating device 43 makes it possible for the moving plate 2 to begin moving, so that the centering sleeve 21 is already "floating" when it accoste the centering column 31.

Lorsque la tige de vérin 421 poursuit la translation de la plaque mobile 2 vers la plaque fixe 3, la plaque mobile 2 adapte sa position pour que chaque douille de centrage 21 s'engage autour de la colonne de centrage 31 correspondante, avec un jeu radial décroissant au fur et à mesure de leur guidage mutuel, comme le montrent les figures 6 et 7.When the cylinder rod 421 continues the translation of the movable plate 2 towards the fixed plate 3, the movable plate 2 matches its position so that each centering sleeve 21 engages around the corresponding centering column 31, with a radial clearance decreasing as they are mutually guided, as shown by the Figures 6 and 7 .

Au moment où chaque colonne de positionnement 121 quitte la douille de positionnement 410 correspondante, c'est-à-dire au moment où la pointe conique 216 quitte l'embouchure tronconique 416, chaque colonne de centrage 31 de la plaque fixe 3 commence à s'engager dans la douille de centrage 21 associée de la plaque mobile 2. La pointe conique 311 est guidée par l'embouchure tronconique 215, comme le montre la figure 6.At the moment when each positioning column 121 leaves the corresponding positioning sleeve 410, that is to say at the moment when the tapered tip 216 leaves the frustoconical mouthpiece 416, each centering column 31 of the fixed plate 3 begins at s engage in the centering sleeve 21 associated with the movable plate 2. The conical tip 311 is guided by the frustoconical mouth 215, as shown in FIG. figure 6 .

Comme le montre la figure 8, lorsque la plaque mobile 2 parvient en butée contre la plaque fixe 3, les surfaces cylindriques et coniques respectives, plus particulièrement les surfaces 214, 212 et 314, 312, de ces composants de guidage se trouvent mutuellement en regard. La plaque mobile 2 et la plaque fixe 3 se trouvent alors à l'état connecté, dans lequel la position de la plaque mobile 2 s'est adaptée aux défauts de positionnement relatif et dans lequel les éléments de connecteurs 20 et 30 respectifs de la plaque mobile 2 et de la plaque fixe 3 sont connectés entre eux, de façon à raccorder les circuits C20 et C30 de type(s) hydraulique, pneumatique et/ou électrique. Des détecteurs non représentés peuvent signaler l'achèvement de la connexion entre plaques, indiquant ainsi que la raccordement est effectif. A l'état connecté, chaque colonne de centrage 31 de la plaque fixe 3 coopère avec la douille de centrage 21 correspondante selon un ajustement relativement précis qui présente un jeu radial de l'ordre de 0,5 mm.As shown in figure 8 when the movable plate 2 abuts against the fixed plate 3, the respective cylindrical and conical surfaces, more particularly the surfaces 214, 212 and 314, 312, of these guide components are opposite one another. The movable plate 2 and the fixed plate 3 are then in the connected state, in which the position of the movable plate 2 has adapted to the relative positioning defects and in which the respective connector elements 20 and 30 of the plate mobile 2 and the fixed plate 3 are connected together, so as to connect the circuits C 20 and C 30 type (s) hydraulic, pneumatic and / or electrical. Unrepresented detectors can signal the completion of the connection between plates, indicating that the connection is effective. In the connected state, each centering column 31 of the fixed plate 3 cooperates with the corresponding centering sleeve 21 in a relatively precise adjustment which has a radial clearance of the order of 0.5 mm.

Lorsque la plaque mobile 2 est en position rétractée, le jeu radial entre les surfaces coniques ou cylindriques 216 à 219 de chaque colonne de positionnement 121 et les surfaces cylindriques ou coniques 416 à 419 complémentaires de chaque douille de positionnement 410 correspondante, peut être d'environ 1 mm, car la précision nécessaire à l'état déconnecté est moindre.When the movable plate 2 is in the retracted position, the radial clearance between the conical or cylindrical surfaces 216 to 219 of each positioning column 121 and the complementary cylindrical or conical surfaces 416 to 419 of each corresponding positioning sleeve 410 may be about 1 mm, because the accuracy required in the disconnected state is less.

Les variantes de l'invention décrites ci-dessus apportent des avantages mentionnés ci-après.The variants of the invention described above provide advantages mentioned below.

Tout d'abord, l'ensemble de connexion autorise des tolérances relativement élevées vis-à-vis des défauts de positionnement relatif, centrage et parallélisme, entre la plaque mobile et la plaque fixe.Firstly, the connection assembly allows relatively high tolerances relative to the relative positioning, centering and parallelism defects between the movable plate and the fixed plate.

De plus, les composants de guidage d'un ensemble de connexion conforme à l'invention représentent un encombrement relativement faible, notamment dans le plan de la plaque mobile, en particulier dans le cas où la plaque mobile comporte des « douilles-colonnes ». Par conséquent, un tel ensemble de connexion peut tolérer des défauts de positionnement plus importants pour un même encombrement dans le plan de la plaque mobile.In addition, the guide components of a connection assembly according to the invention represent a relatively small footprint, especially in the plane of the movable plate, particularly in the case where the movable plate comprises "bush-columns". Consequently, such a connection assembly can tolerate greater positioning defects for the same size in the plane of the movable plate.

Par ailleurs, lorsque la plaque mobile est placée en position rétractée par l'organe mobile de l'actionneur, c'est-à-dire lorsque la tige est rentrée dans le boîtier du vérin, la coopération entre organe et membre de positionnement limite, voire évite, le flottement de la plaque mobile. Après chaque connexion, la rétraction de la plaque mobile en position moyenne permet de conserver les mêmes tolérances de positionnement relatif admissibles entre plaque mobile et plaque fixe en vue d'une connexion ultérieure, pour un dimensionnement identique des composants de guidage. En outre, la coopération du support fixe et de la plaque mobile en position rétractée garantit un retour précis en position moyenne.Furthermore, when the movable plate is placed in the retracted position by the movable member of the actuator, that is to say when the rod is retracted into the casing of the jack, the cooperation between the member and the limit positioning member, even avoids the floating of the movable plate. After each connection, the retraction of the movable plate in the average position makes it possible to maintain the same tolerable relative positioning tolerances between the movable plate and the fixed plate in view of a subsequent connection, for identical dimensioning of the guide components. In addition, the cooperation of the fixed support and the movable plate in the retracted position guarantees an accurate return to the average position.

De plus, les vibrations de la plaque mobile sont réduites par rapport aux ensembles de connexions de l'art antérieur, ce qui diminue les risques d'altération de la plaque mobile et de modification de sa position lorsque le chariot de transport déplace l'ensemble de connexion. Au contraire, un ensemble de connexion de l'art antérieur n'empêche pas le débattement de la plaque mobile par rapport au support fixe en position rétractée, si bien que cette plaque mobile peut quitter sa position moyenne même lorsqu'elle est en position rétractée.In addition, the vibration of the movable plate is reduced compared to the connection sets of the prior art, which reduces the risk of tampering with the movable plate and changing its position when the transport carriage moves the assembly connection. On the contrary, a connection assembly of the prior art does not prevent the movement of the moving plate. relative to the fixed support in retracted position, so that the movable plate can leave its average position even when in the retracted position.

L'étagement des composants de guidage, en particulier des « douilles-colonnes », garantit un jeu radial de montage décroissant au fur et à mesure de l'engagement des composants de guidage, ce qui évite les coincements entre composants de guidage. De plus, cet étagement permet de faire momentanément coopérer simultanément, d'une part, chaque organe et chaque membre de centrage et, d'autre part, chaque organe et chaque membre de positionnement. On obtient ainsi un guidage continu et sans coincement de la plaque mobile entre le support fixe et la plaque fixe.Staggering of the guide components, in particular "column bushings", ensures a decreasing radial mounting clearance as the guide components engage, which prevents jamming between guide components. In addition, this staging makes it possible momentarily simultaneously to cooperate, on the one hand, each member and each centering member and, on the other hand, each member and each positioning member. This provides a continuous guide and without wedging of the movable plate between the fixed support and the fixed plate.

D'autre part, le ou chaque organe de positionnement de la plaque mobile, qui assure le recentrage de la plaque mobile par rapport à l'actionneur, est sensiblement coaxial au ou à chaque membre de centrage de la plaque mobile, ce qui limite l'encombrement de la plaque mobile.On the other hand, the or each positioning member of the movable plate, which ensures the refocusing of the movable plate relative to the actuator, is substantially coaxial with the or each centering member of the movable plate, which limits the the size of the movable plate.

Lors de la déconnexion de la plaque mobile 2 et de la plaque fixe 3, la tige de vérin 421 rétracte la plaque mobile 2 avec le dispositif de flottement 43. Au début de ce mouvement, chaque colonne de centrage 31 guide avec précision la douille de centrage 21 correspondante, ce qui permet de désaccoupler les éléments de connecteurs 20 et 30 de manière colinéaire et sans faire subir à ces derniers de contraintes excessives.When disconnecting the movable plate 2 and the fixed plate 3, the cylinder rod 421 retracts the movable plate 2 with the floating device 43. At the beginning of this movement, each centering column 31 precisely guides the bushing corresponding centering 21, which allows uncoupling the connector elements 20 and 30 collinearly and without subjecting them to excessive stresses.

Après le désaccouplement des éléments de connecteurs 20 et 30, le jeu radial suivant le plan X2-Y2 augmente entre chaque colonne de centrage 31 et chaque douille de centrage 21 correspondante lors de la coopération des surfaces 312 et 214, ce qui rend possible un début de débattement de la plaque mobile 2 par le dispositif de flottement 43. Puis, lorsque chaque colonne de centrage 31 quitte l'embouchure conique 215 de la douille de centrage 21 correspondante, la pointe conique 216 de chaque colonne de positionnement 121 se trouve au contact de chaque douille de positionnement 410 correspondante, car la distance maximale Z21 est inférieure à la longueur L121 de la douille-colonne 21-121. Ainsi, il y a aussi une continuité du guidage entre les composants de guidage lors de la déconnexion de la plaque mobile 2 et de la plaque fixe 3.After uncoupling of the connector elements 20 and 30, the radial clearance along the X 2 -Y 2 plane increases between each centering column 31 and each corresponding centering sleeve 21 during the cooperation of the surfaces 312 and 214, which makes it possible a beginning of travel of the movable plate 2 by the floating device 43. Then, when each centering column 31 leaves the conical mouth 215 of the corresponding centering sleeve 21, the conical tip 216 of each positioning column 121 is located in contact with each corresponding positioning sleeve 410, since the maximum distance Z 21 is less than the length L 121 of the column sleeve 21-121. Thus, there is also a continuity of the guiding between the guiding components during the disconnection of the movable plate 2 and the fixed plate 3.

Chaque douille de positionnement 410 guide enfin le débattement de la colonne de positionnement 121 correspondante, avec un jeu radial décroissant au fur et à mesure de la coopération des surfaces 217 et 419, puis 217 et 417 et 219 et 419, jusqu'à l'état déconnecté et rétracté de la plaque mobile 2 hors de la plaque fixe 3. Dans cette position rétractée, la plaque mobile 2 est ramenée en position moyenne. L'ensemble de connexion 1 est alors disponible pour une nouvelle connexion de sa plaque mobile 2 sur une plaque fixe.Each positioning sleeve 410 finally guides the movement of the corresponding positioning column 121, with radial clearance decreasing at as the surfaces 217 and 419, then 217 and 417 and 219 and 419 cooperate, until the disconnected and retracted state of the movable plate 2 from the fixed plate 3. In this retracted position, the plate mobile 2 is brought back to the average position. The connection assembly 1 is then available for a new connection of its movable plate 2 on a fixed plate.

Toute combinaison techniquement admissible des caractéristiques techniques énoncées ci-dessus constitue une variante supplémentaire de l'invention.Any technically permissible combination of the technical characteristics set forth above constitutes a further variant of the invention.

Claims (12)

Ensemble de connexion (1) d'une plaque mobile (2) à au moins une plaque fixe (3), pour raccorder des circuits de type hydraulique, pneumatique et/ou électrique, ledit ensemble de connexion (1) comprenant : - une plaque mobile (2) comportant : - plusieurs éléments de connecteurs (20) aptes à être accouplés à des éléments de connecteurs (30) complémentaires montés sur la plaque fixe (3) ; - au moins un organe de centrage (21) apte à coopérer avec la plaque fixe (3) à l'état connecté des plaques (2, 3), de façon à positionner la plaque mobile (2) par rapport à la plaque fixe (3) ; - un actionneur (4) comportant : - un support fixe (41) ; - un organe mobile (42) apte à déplacer, suivant une direction de connexion (Z4), la plaque mobile (2) par rapport au support fixe (41) entre une première position rétractée correspondant à un état déconnecté de la plaque mobile par rapport à la plaque fixe et une deuxième position correspondant à un état connecté de ces plaques ; - un dispositif de flottement (43) agencé entre l'organe mobile (42) de l'actionneur (4) et la plaque mobile (2), de façon à permettre, lorsque la plaque mobile (2) est entre ses première et deuxième positions, au moins un débattement de la plaque mobile (2) par rapport au support fixe (41) en rotation autour et/ou en translation suivant au moins un axe (X4, Y4) perpendiculaire à la direction de connexion (Z4) ; ledit ensemble de connexion (1) étant caractérisé en ce que la plaque mobile (2) comporte en outre au moins un membre de positionnement (121), en ce que le support fixe (41) comporte en outre au moins un organe de positionnement (410) et en ce que le ou chaque membre de positionnement (121) est apte à coopérer avec le ou chaque organe de positionnement (410) de façon à positionner la plaque mobile (2) par rapport au support fixe (41), alors que la plaque mobile (2) est dans la première position.Connection assembly (1) of a movable plate (2) to at least one fixed plate (3) for connecting hydraulic, pneumatic and / or electrical type circuits, said connection assembly (1) comprising: a movable plate (2) comprising: - Several connector elements (20) adapted to be coupled to complementary connector elements (30) mounted on the fixed plate (3); - at least one centering member (21) adapted to cooperate with the fixed plate (3) in the connected state of the plates (2, 3), so as to position the movable plate (2) with respect to the fixed plate ( 3); an actuator (4) comprising: a fixed support (41); - A movable member (42) able to move, in a connection direction (Z 4 ), the movable plate (2) relative to the fixed support (41) between a first retracted position corresponding to a disconnected state of the movable plate by relative to the fixed plate and a second position corresponding to a connected state of these plates; - a floating device (43) arranged between the movable member (42) of the actuator (4) and the movable plate (2), so as to allow, when the movable plate (2) is between its first and second positions, at least one travel of the movable plate (2) relative to the fixed support (41) rotated around and / or in translation along at least one axis (X 4 , Y 4 ) perpendicular to the connection direction (Z 4 ); said connection assembly (1) being characterized in that the movable plate (2) further comprises at least one positioning member (121), in that the fixed support (41) further comprises at least one positioning member ( 410) and in that the or each positioning member (121) is adapted to cooperate with the or each positioning member (410) so as to position the movable plate (2) relative to the fixed support (41), whereas the movable plate (2) is in the first position. Ensemble de connexion (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le ou chaque organe de centrage est destiné à coopérer par complémentarité de formes avec un membre de centrage correspondant disposé sur la plaque fixe (3) et en ce que le ou chaque organe de centrage est formé par une douille de centrage (21) ou par une colonne de centrage.Connection assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the or each centering member is intended to cooperate by complementary shapes with a corresponding centering member disposed on the fixed plate (3) and in that the or each centering member is formed by a centering sleeve (21) or a centering column. Ensemble de connexion (1) selon l'une des revendications 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que le ou chaque membre de positionnement (121) et le ou chaque organe de positionnement (410) sont aptes à coopérer par complémentarité de formes et en ce que le ou chaque membre de positionnement (121) est formé par une colonne de positionnement ou par une douille de positionnement, le ou chaque organe de positionnement (410) étant respectivement formé par une douille de positionnement ou par une colonne de positionnement.Connection assembly (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the or each positioning member (121) and the or each positioning member (410) are able to cooperate by complementarity of shapes and in that that the or each locating member (121) is formed by a positioning column or by a positioning sleeve, the or each positioning member (410) being respectively formed by a bearing sleeve or a positioning column. Ensemble de connexion (1) selon les revendications 2 et 3, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins un organe de centrage (21) est coaxial à un membre de positionnement (121).Connection assembly (1) according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that at least one centering member (21) is coaxial with a positioning member (121). Ensemble de connexion (1) selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins un organe de centrage (21) est réalisé au sein d'un membre de positionnement (121).Connection assembly (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one centering member (21) is formed within a positioning member (121). Ensemble de connexion (1) selon l'une des revendications 3 à 5, caractérisé en ce que la ou chaque colonne de positionnement (121) et la ou chaque douille de positionnement (21) présentent une symétrie de révolution autour d'un axe (Z3, Z4) qui est sensiblement parallèle à la direction de connexion (Z4), lorsque la plaque mobile (2) est dans la première position.Connection assembly (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the or each positioning column (121) and the or each positioning sleeve (21) have a symmetry of revolution about an axis ( Z 3 , Z 4 ) which is substantially parallel to the connection direction (Z 4 ), when the movable plate (2) is in the first position. Ensemble de connexion (1) selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que la ou chaque douille de positionnement (410) et la ou chaque colonne de positionnement (121) comportent respectivement une succession de surfaces coniques (216, 218, 416, 418) et de surfaces cylindriques (217, 219, 417, 419) et en ce que ces surfaces coniques et cylindriques, ménagées respectivement sur la douille de positionnement, d'une part, et sur la colonne de positionnement, d'autre part, sont sensiblement complémentaires avec des dimensions (D217, D219, D417, D419) décroissantes de façon à permettre l'introduction avec jeu radial décroissant de la ou chaque colonne de positionnement (121) dans une douille de positionnement (410) correspondante.Connection assembly (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the or each positioning sleeve (410) and the or each positioning column (121) respectively comprise a succession of conical surfaces (216, 218, 416, 418) and cylindrical surfaces (217, 219, 417, 419) and in that these conical and cylindrical surfaces, respectively formed on the positioning sleeve, on the one hand, and on the positioning column, on the other hand, are substantially with dimensions (D 217 , D 219 , D 417 , D 419 ) decreasing in order to allow insertion with decreasing radial clearance of the or each positioning column (121) in a corresponding positioning sleeve (410). Ensemble de connexion (1) selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que la surface conique (216), située à l'extrémité, du côté du support fixe (41), du ou de chaque membre de positionnement (121) et la surface conique (416), située à l'extrémité, du côté de la plaque mobile (2), du ou de chaque organe de positionnement (410) ont des demi-angles au sommet respectifs compris entre 20° et 40°, de préférence entre 27° et 33°.Connection assembly (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the conical surface (216) at the end, on the side of the fixed support (41), the or each positioning member (121) and the surface cone (416), located at the end, on the side of the movable plate (2), the or each positioning member (410) have respective half-angles at the vertex between 20 ° and 40 °, preferably between 27 ° and 33 °. Ensemble de connexion (1) selon l'une des revendications 1 à 8, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif de flottement (43) comprend au moins un organe élastique (431) qui est disposé entre la plaque mobile (2) et l'organe mobile (42) et qui est composé d'un empilement de rondelles élastiques ou d'un ressort linéaire travaillant en compression.Connection assembly (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the floating device (43) comprises at least one elastic member (431) which is arranged between the movable plate (2) and the body mobile (42) and which is composed of a stack of spring washers or a linear spring working in compression. Ensemble de connexion (1) selon l'une des revendications 1 à 9, caractérisé(e) en ce que le ou chaque organe de positionnement (410) est agencé sur le support fixe (41) de sorte que le ou chaque membre de positionnement (121) se trouve en position moyenne dans l'amplitude du débattement permis par le dispositif de flottement (43), lorsque l'organe mobile (42) positionne la plaque mobile (2) dans la première position, déconnectée et rétractée.Connection assembly (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the or each positioning member (410) is arranged on the fixed support (41) so that the or each positioning member (121) is in the average position in the amplitude of the movement allowed by the floating device (43), when the movable member (42) positions the movable plate (2) in the first position, disconnected and retracted. Procédé de connexion d'une plaque mobile (2) à au moins une plaque fixe (3), pour raccorder des circuits de type(s) hydraulique, pneumatique et/ou électrique, ladite plaque mobile (2) appartenant audit ensemble de connexion (1) et comportant : - plusieurs éléments de connecteurs (20) ; - au moins un organe de centrage (21) ; - au moins un membre de positionnement (121) ; ladite plaque fixe (3) comportant : - plusieurs éléments de connecteurs (30) aptes à être accouplés aux éléments de connecteurs (20) de la plaque mobile (2) ; - au moins un membre de centrage (31) apte à coopérer avec l'organe de centrage (21) à l'état connecté des plaques (2, 3) ; ledit ensemble de connexion (1) comprenant en outre un actionneur (4) qui comporte : - un support fixe (41) ; - un organe mobile (42) apte à déplacer, suivant une direction de connexion (Z4), la plaque mobile (2) par rapport au support fixe (41) entre une première position rétractée correspondant à un état déconnecté de la plaque mobile par rapport à la plaque fixe et une deuxième position correspondant à un état connecté de ces plaques ; - un dispositif de flottement (43) agencé entre l'organe mobile (42) et la plaque mobile (2), de façon à permettre au moins un débattement de la plaque mobile (2) par rapport au support fixe (41) en rotation autour et/ou en translation suivant au moins un axe (X4, Y4) perpendiculaire à la direction de connexion (Z4) ; le procédé de connexion étant caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend les étapes consistant à : b) amener en engagement au moins un membre de positionnement (121) porté par la plaque mobile (2) avec un organe de positionnement (410) correspondant porté par le support fixe (41) de façon à positionner la plaque mobile (2) par rapport au support fixe (41) alors que la plaque mobile (2) est dans la première position ; c) commander l'actionneur (4) pour déplacer la plaque mobile (2) vers la plaque fixe (3) suivant une direction de connexion (Z4) ; d) amener en engagement le ou chaque membre de centrage (31) avec l'organe de centrage (21) correspondant, de façon à positionner la plaque mobile (2) par rapport à la plaque fixe (3) ; e) accoupler les éléments de connecteurs (20, 30) respectifs de la plaque mobile (2) et de la plaque fixe (3). Method of connecting a movable plate (2) to at least one fixed plate (3), for connecting circuits of the hydraulic, pneumatic and / or electrical type (s), said movable plate (2) belonging to said connection assembly ( 1) and comprising: a plurality of connector elements (20); at least one centering element (21); at least one positioning member (121); said fixed plate (3) comprising: - a plurality of connector elements (30) adapted to be coupled to the connector elements (20) of the movable plate (2); - At least one centering member (31) adapted to cooperate with the centering member (21) in the connected state of the plates (2, 3); said connection assembly (1) further comprising an actuator (4) which comprises: a fixed support (41); - A movable member (42) able to move, in a connection direction (Z 4 ), the movable plate (2) relative to the fixed support (41) between a first retracted position corresponding to a disconnected state of the movable plate by relative to the fixed plate and a second position corresponding to a connected state of these plates; - A floating device (43) arranged between the movable member (42) and the movable plate (2), so as to allow at least one movement of the movable plate (2) relative to the fixed support (41) in rotation around and / or in translation along at least one axis (X 4 , Y 4 ) perpendicular to the connection direction (Z 4 ); the connection method being characterized in that it comprises the steps of: b) bringing into engagement at least one positioning member (121) carried by the movable plate (2) with a corresponding positioning member (410) carried by the fixed support (41) so as to position the movable plate (2) by relative to the fixed support (41) while the movable plate (2) is in the first position; c) controlling the actuator (4) to move the movable plate (2) to the fixed plate (3) in a connection direction (Z 4 ); d) bringing into engagement the or each centering member (31) with the corresponding centering member (21), so as to position the movable plate (2) with respect to the fixed plate (3); e) coupling the respective connector elements (20, 30) of the movable plate (2) and the fixed plate (3). Procédé de connexion selon la revendication 11, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend une étape préalable consistant à : a) placer l'ensemble de connexion (1) dans une position initiale (fig.1, fig.5) déterminée de façon à ce que la distance maximale (Z21), selon la direction de connexion (Z4) entre, d'une part une extrémité (311) d'un membre de centrage (31) de la plaque fixe (3), qui est destinée à venir en engagement avec un organe de centrage (21), et d'autre part, une extrémité (416) de l'organe de positionnement (410) correspondant du support fixe (41), qui est destinée à venir en engagement avec un membre de positionnement (121) soit inférieure à la distance maximale (L121) entre, d'une part, une extrémité (215) de l'organe de centrage (21) de la plaque mobile (2), qui est destinée à venir en engagement avec le membre de centrage (31), et d'autre part, une extrémité (216) du membre de positionnement (121) correspondant de la plaque mobile (2), qui est destinée à venir en engagement avec l'organe de positionnement (410). Connection method according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises a preliminary step of: a) placing the connection assembly (1) in an initial position (fig.1, fig.5) determined so that the maximum distance (Z 21 ), according to the connection direction (Z 4 ) between, d one end (311) of a centering member (31) of the fixed plate (3), which is intended to come into engagement with a centering member (21), and on the other hand, an end (416) of the corresponding positioning member (410) of the fixed support (41), which is intended to come into engagement with a positioning member (121). ) is less than the maximum distance (L 121 ) between, on the one hand, an end (215) of the centering member (21) of the movable plate (2), which is intended to engage with the member centering (31), and secondly, an end (216) of the corresponding positioning member (121) of the movable plate (2), which is intended to come into engagement with the positioning member (410).
EP20090164022 2008-06-30 2009-06-29 Connection unit and method for connecting such a unit Active EP2141403B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0854391A FR2933155B1 (en) 2008-06-30 2008-06-30 CONNECTION ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR CONNECTING SUCH AN ASSEMBLY

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EP2141403A1 true EP2141403A1 (en) 2010-01-06
EP2141403B1 EP2141403B1 (en) 2012-04-18

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US (1) US8336922B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2141403B1 (en)
CN (1) CN101619790B (en)
AT (1) ATE554329T1 (en)
ES (1) ES2381536T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2933155B1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2141403B1 (en) 2012-04-18
CN101619790A (en) 2010-01-06
ES2381536T3 (en) 2012-05-29
FR2933155B1 (en) 2010-08-27
ATE554329T1 (en) 2012-05-15
US8336922B2 (en) 2012-12-25
FR2933155A1 (en) 2010-01-01
US20090322072A1 (en) 2009-12-31
CN101619790B (en) 2012-12-12

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